Generally, the term paranormal refers to phenomena that are not currently explainable using current science. This includes things like ghosts, UFOs, telekinesis and the Mayan apocalypse (which didn’t happen, by the way). But there are other ways of thinking about the paranormal:
An anecdotal approach is based on an individual person’s account of something they have experienced. It is a less scientific approach because it leaves verification largely dependent on the veracity of the individual presenting the account, and is subject to fallacies such as cognitive bias, inductive reasoning and lack of falsifiability.
Some paranormal believers also take a spiritual or magical approach to the subject. They believe that spirits or supernatural entities exist and they try to communicate with them. They use technological devices, mediumistic abilities and other means to try to document spirit activity. They also seek out places that are deemed to be paranormal or supernatural.
This is one of the most popular approaches to the paranormal and is the basis for much of what is seen in movies, TV shows and other media. Belief in the paranormal is common among many people, and it seems to be hard to shake. It’s a little bit like genital warts — problematic, annoying and damned difficult to get rid of.
The word paranormal comes from the Greek and Latin words meaning “against, counter, outside or beyond normal.” It’s used to describe things that are not logically explained in our world. It’s often confused with the supernatural, which is a term that applies to things that are connected to the spiritual realm, including gods and demons.