Parapsychology

Content

Introduction
Definition
History
Research fields
Methods
Criticism and fraud
Against criticism
Epilog
Sources

Introduction

The parapsychology (from the Greek para, "alongside" and Psychologia, "psychology") is a scientific discipline, which investigate the mental abilities and their causes, a possible life after death and other phenomena that seem to fall out of the previously known explanatory framework of the established disciplines of psychology, biology and physics.

Parapsychology is so related to the frontier sciences and fringe science.

Parapsychological experiments were used to demonstrate psychokinesis, precognition by statistics (like our PKE7G). Extrasensory perception trying to prove with sensory deprivation (shield of sensory stimuli, the normal five senses) and ganzfeld experiments (transmission of information on an unprecedented way).

A similar work do the noetics, but there is more focus on knowledge. The research area is also much bigger than in the older parapsychology. These include for example awareness of plants (such as our cress and symbols experiment).

Definition

The term "parapsychology" was introduced in 1889 by the psychologist Max Dessoir in a contribution to the theosophical magazine "Sphinx". [1]

The term "Para" describes something that is next to the other. Because all parapsychological topics have something to do with the mind (psychology), they called "parapsychology". Known from the beginning, abnormal states of consciousness are hypnosis or trance.

In relation with the paranormal is often talked of PSI. This is due to the fact that the first letter in the word psychology is PSI (Ψ) in greek. PSI can also be a shortcut for Parasensual Intelligence. Other important shortcuts in this context would be: ESP (Extra Sensory Perception).

History

1862 began the history of parapsychology with the founding of the Ghost Club in England, with the mission to investigate ghostly apparitions.

1886 foundet the Psychological Society in Munich by Baron Albert Schrenck-Notzing and Carl du Prel in Germany. They investigate hypnosis and telekinesis.

In 1911 the Stanford University have been studied in extrasensory perception and psychokinesis in the laboratory, as the first academic institution in the United States.

In 1919, for the first time in the criminal investigation, "Walkabout" used to investigate crimes, in order to gain inferences about the possible use of the media in investigative work.

In 1930, the Duke University in Durham examined with the study of extrasensory perception and psychokinesis in the laboratory as the second major academic institution. To demonstrate the phenomena were used Zenercards or dice. The results analyzed statistically.

In 1950 in Germany founded the Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Hygiene (IGPP) in Freiburg by the parapsychologist Hans Bender.

In 1979 the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Laboratory founded. It is very recently known for they experiments and random search of the global consciousness.

The research areas changed and expanded continuously.
Hypnosis is now scientifically accepted and no longer a part of parapsychology. Thera also new areas. For example, reincarnation and remote viewing.
Necessarily have to be called the investigations psychokinetic abilities of the medium Nina Kulagina in Russia.

Parapsychology Today parapsychologie forschung
Compared to the 1970s, in the presence of para-psychological research has declined significantly worldwide. Were able to search for parapsychology has so reduced at Google since 2004 to less than 20%. [2] The research institutions and did not provide evidence. Many universities closed their parapsychology departments.

Parapsychological research is increasingly operate by private institutions outside the universities, funded by sponsors and private donors.

Main research fields

All phenomena which are studied by parapsychology generally described as Psi phenomena. All research can be classified into two areas.

Psi-cognitive: in general the receipt of information on physical (so far) unexplained way. Examples: Telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance ...
Psi-kinetic: all phenomena that affect the environment and do not fit into the physical world. Examples: Telekinesis, teleportation, levitation, etc.

The most studied areas of research are:

telepathy: transmission of information through thoughts or feelings between people without seeing any means of the five senses (hearing, seeing, tasting, feeling, smelling).
precognition: receiving or perceiving information of future events before they occur. It may have no ability to ascertain the information from the past or present.
clairvoyance: Obtaining information about incidents or events at remote locations
psychokinesis and haunting: The ability to influence material or physical processes.
reincarnation: The rebirth of the soul in a new body after death.
apparitions: phenomena which often are associated with the dead

Parapsychology does not deal with this paranormal phenomenon: astrology, UFOs, Yetis, paganism, vampires, alchemy, or witchcraft.

Methods of knowledge acquisition

Parapsychology is a serious science that uses rigorous scientific methods and their present results for discussion.

The methods can be classified into three groups: dice parapsychology

opinions: These are reports of psi phenomena. These are collected and analyzed.
experiments with media: As a human medium is known, seems to have a special talent for psi phenomena. In experiments, these people are then tested.
Statistical Experiments:It will be conducted experiments in which people should influence to a random event through their will. If a deviation occur from the statistical probability, this is an indication of Psi.

Criticism and fraud

As in other fields also, there is evidence of fraud and fake in the history of parapsychology.

"Fraud in parapsychology experiments is the most crucial and most important factor that damaged the reputation of parapsychology and retards their development." (John Palmer)

Skeptics criticize that apparently successful experimental results in psi research on rather inaccurate experimental procedures, poorly trained researchers, methodological flaws, are based on a genuine psi effects. Which is just pure speculation, in the rare case of experimental error can be detected.

The only real criticism is that statistical variations are just a statistical anomaly, no evidence for psi. Even if a medium would move an object without any physical action (telekinesis), this would still not proof of psychokinesis. It is only shown that an inexplicable movement takes place. Whether this occurs through the power of the mind of the medium can not be proved.

So, the parapsychology deliver significant and reproducible results, but skeptics will recognize this NEVER.

GWUP
The Scientific Society for the Advancement of Parapsychology Association is a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the task, not to promote parapsychology, but to refute it (education and critical thinking).

Because of the dogmatic and sometimes even acting hostile behavior GWUP founded GfA (Society for Anomalsitik). Even if members are, according to the GfA less than 10% of former members GWUP, shows here the problem of GWUP. The emergence of GfA can be read here: History of GfA.

skeptics

A certain skepticism is healthy. Of course one should not believe everything at once, what you get told. Knowledge is the basis for checking statements. Skepticism can also quickly turn into dogmatism. On skeptizismus.de explains what the problem the skeptic movement is how it works and much more. A basis for anyone who wants to discuss an alternative opinion.

Rich through paranormal abilities

Many research institutes provide high prize money for the proof of paranormal abilities. The top there is the James Randi Educational Foundation with a million dollars.

Against criticism

Prizes
It gives the impression that no one wins the prize money, because there are no paranormal abilities. But this is a false conclusion.
The skeptics make the mistake of thinking that all people want money.
A person who has paranormal abilities, create environment and shape reality by free will, is not interested for money.

All people are equal
Statistical tests large groups of people are simply summarized, rather than look at the subjects as individuals. So naturally a large mass of people without skills dampens the results of less talented people.

example:Hans Dieter Betz tested dowser in the order of the federal government. The hit seemed to be purely lucky shot, however, provided some people very good test results. One of these subjects were in the wilderness of Sina is hereby established in order to determine drilling points for water wells. 10 of 12 holes were successful.
This is not accepted by skeptics as evidence for dowsing. Because few people provide good results, skeptics interpret as random values. That these people will always produce good results neglected, or averaged with hundreds of subjects. [3]

ironic counter-example: We want to make sure that people can walk on their hands. For this purpose we take the 500 subjects from the nearest shopping mall and each has 20 attempts, to go a few steps on their hands. On average, this did no one. Only a few can seemingly walk on their hands. But this is pure coincidence. What we have proved that it is impossible to walk on your hands.

Without any explanatory model no phenomena

Gladly skeptics also appropriate that researchers in parapsychology have no explanation for the phenomena. Without explanation Model parapsychological research is not simply accepted.

Comment: In the Stone Age man did not know that the sun is a sphere of gas and gains its energy through nuclear fusion of hydrogen to helium. Nevertheless, it would be foolish to deny the existence of the sun.

Evidence is denied
The Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology conducted to a test of telepathy. Transmitter and receiver were in separate rooms. A person looks at a video, the other shielded with red light and noise, and then assign one to their visions of 4 videos. Here, 80 students were tested. The probability of random matches is 25%, anything over 30% can be considered as evidence.

The result was 32.5%.

Immediately declared the result of the "scientists" as a deviation, or an unknown error in the experiment is available. The possibility of telepathy, there really is not even considered. [4]

It is negatively sorted
Often there is also a negative pre-sorting of the subjects. For example, the PEAR took only subjects without belief in the paranormal. [5]

ironic counter-example:

We want to test how talented people are to learn a new language. For our experiment, we take only people who have no foreign language or can say of themselves that they have no talent for foreign languages. The results were completely distorted.

Wrong experimental setup:
The Ganzfeld experiment was modified. The subjects did not know of each other, it was not so aware of sent and received. So the receiver can receive all sorts of thoughts, to the postman, the cleaning lady next to, etc. But the attempt yielded positive results. Compliance with the proper experimental conditions, the success rate would certainly have been still higher. [4]

Testing one person
And often in some clairvoyant in Germany will be looking to show that ALL use the same tricks. Or do you test a dowser and his failure to make one then determines the dowsing nonsense. The testing of a clairvoyant is of course not reveal any clairvoyant and how they work or the success of dowsing in general.

Epilog

Parapsychology and their areas of research are tough controversial issues. Criticism is important, but should always respect the neutrality and openness will be preserved. Anyone who wants to join a company with true neutrality, here are the Society for Anomalistics be called. Our examples show that even if evidence are provided, changes in the public or the thinking of society not happen. So itmust be due to all yourself, to explore the potential of your mind.

We hope that with our website and applications such as PKE7G can help.

Parapsychological topics on 7-Gates.de: