What is Parapsychology?

By Brian Schill

         It should be understood from the outset that true parapsychology IS NOT  the study of anything concerning or connected with UFOs, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, cryptozoology, paganism, vampires, occultism, the gothic underground, alchemy, witchcraft, new age studies, Reiki, magic or anything of that nature. Unfortunately, because there are others who have, for their own reasons (usually money and entertainment), tried to “devolve” and sensationalize parapsychology into some of the above mentioned pseudo-sciences most scientists are very suspicious, if not outright skeptical, of parapsychology. Because of this “sensationalized image” that has been thrust upon parapsychology many scientists, more often than not, will associate parapsychology with mysterious phenomenon, fringe topics, and other such incredulous entertainment topics which is looked to for its mysticism and dark entertainment style for the curious. This inappropriate link between a legitimate scientific field and fringe groups does not stop there. Because of the various incorrect stereotyping that now takes place in many people’s minds parapsychologists have been associated with psychic entertainers, tarot and palm readers, crystal gazers, Spiritualists and the like.

            Generally, the study of parapsychology will fall into three primary classes which are: ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), PK (Pyschokinesis), and Haunting Phenomenon. Although the focus of this web site falls on a singular subject within the three main areas of parapsychology, I ask you to remember that this website is not your typical “ghost hunters website” that is filled with opinion that is far from fact. Books and websites that fall into the latter category do not encompass the whole of paranormal phenomenon and investigation, only the author’s feelings, which tend to be subjective and at times emotional rather than factual and rational.

Some of the topics that modern Parapsychologists focus their scientific study on are:

Extra Sensory Perception    Pyschokinesis    Haunting Phenomenon

Clairvoyance                     Telekinesis        After Death Communication

Out-of-Body Experience      Apports            Ghost Photography

Precognition                      Levitation          Electronic Voice Phenomenon

Telepathy                                                 Apports

Psychic phenomenon (Psi)                          Bioelectric Manifestations (ghosts)

Some of the topics that Parapsychologists DO NOT focus on are:

New Age Studies                 Reiki               Aura Reading / Healing

Government Conspiracy      Bigfoot / Cryptozoology       Time Slips

Past Life Regression            Hypnotism                          Divination

Remote Viewing                  Religious Phenomenon         Faith Healing

UFOs                                  Mediumship