The paranormal is anything that defies the laws of science. People use the word to describe supernatural phenomena, like ghosts and UFOs. But it’s also used to describe any experience that goes against our understanding of the world, like bending spoons with your mind.
In the 1930s, Joseph Banks Rhine founded parapsychology — a field of research that looked for proof of psychic and paranormal activity. At the time, this was an Ivy League-approved line of study. But eventually, parapsychology ran out of steam and lost credibility. It’s now a fringe field of study, and most ghost hunters don’t follow actual scientific methods. They might have meters that look like science equipment, but they aren’t measuring anything meaningful. Instead, they think they’re measuring electromagnetic energy given off by outlets and cell phones — and that the presence of a spirit is behind it all.
Some scientists are still trying to understand paranormal experiences and phenomenon, though their findings haven’t been very convincing so far. They’re working to make sure their research is error-free, and that they have as many independent researchers as possible to validate the results. They’re also taking care to make sure their conclusions aren’t influenced by any beliefs that might have affected their findings.
Some research suggests that those who are more interested in paranormal activity are more likely to report experiencing spooky things. And those with underlying brain disorders may have more intense paranormal encounters.