Pixabay Image
Paranormal science is a broad term that refers to the study of events and phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding. This would include ghosts, hauntings, UFOs, Bigfoot, and psychic abilities like extrasensory perception (ESP). Paranormal events are often described in popular culture and folklore, typically involving anecdotal evidence and personal experiences. But many people are skeptical about such happenings, which challenge conventional scientific explanations.
The Science Behind Paranormal Mysteries
The scientific study of paranormal phenomena is called parapsychology. It’s often labeled as a pseudoscience due to skepticism from mainstream science. While unusual experiences or seemingly unnatural occurrences are often attributed to supernatural origins, many alleged ghostly encounters can be attributed to natural explanations, psychological factors, and even environmental effects.
Mainstream psychology can be used to evaluate paranormal experiences. Indeed, some common psychological explanations for ghosts and hauntings are believed to result from psychological factors such as hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and suggestibility. The human brain can sometimes misinterpret sensory input, leading to perceptions of ghostly apparitions.
Environmental factors can also cause a presumed paranormal experience. For example, supernatural encounters are often associated with a sudden cold chill. Many times, this is simply due to a draft or poor insulation, or it can be a psychosomatic sensation triggered by fear. Likewise, low-frequency sound below the range of human hearing – infrasound – has been linked to feelings of unease and ghostly sensations.
Ghost Hunting as a STEM Activity
While ghost hunting may not be considered a STEM field in the traditional academic or professional sense, paranormal investigators often use scientific tools and techniques to investigate and analyze phenomena that defy conventional explanation. Some researchers conduct field investigations and attempt to use scientific methods such as controlled experiments and data analysis to capture evidence of hauntings.
Here are some examples of STEM equipment used in ghost hunting:
- Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Meters: Used to detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields, which some believe indicate presence of ghosts or spirits.
- Infrared Thermometers & Thermal Cameras: Measure temperature drops and cold spots, often interpreted as ghostly activity.
- Digital Voice Recorders: Capture Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP)—sounds or voices not heard during recording.
- Motion Sensors & Infrasound Detectors: Track movement and low-frequency sounds that may cause eerie sensations.
Even though these tools are scientific in nature, the scientific validity of these methods in ghost hunting is frequently criticized for lacking controlled conditions and repeatable results—key pillars of the scientific method. So most scientists would consider ghost hunting to be more of a pseudoscientific hobby than a rigorous STEM discipline.
Nevertheless, plenty of scientists over the years have devoted their own time and resources to studying the paranormal. For example, William James, the namesake of the building that houses Harvard’s psychology department, was obsessed with the paranormal throughout his career and he even co-founded the American Society for Psychical Research.
Noah Leigh, a career scientist and a virologist at the City of Milwaukee Health Department, also applies his scientific training to objectively investigating the paranormal. In 2007, he founded his own team, Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee (PIM). “If you do it right, the investigations themselves aren’t pseudoscientific,” he told Discover magazine. “It’s the method behind the investigation and the people conducting it… We see our purpose as educational, providing a public service.” The “Paranormal 101” section of PIM’s website offers unbiased insight into all the tropes of paranormal reality TV.
Likewise, US Ghost Adventures emphasizes the importance of skepticism, critical thinking, and objectivity when it comes to ghost hunting. “While the topic remains a subject of fascination and intrigue, it is essential to approach it with a scientific lens and critical thinking. Objective data collection is crucial in paranormal investigations to ensure that the process remains as unbiased and accurate as possible. Critical thinking allows us to avoid falling prey to confirmation bias [the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs or expectations] and base our beliefs on empirical evidence.”
Souvik Bhattacharjee, author of “Science Behind Paranormal Activities”, International Journal of New Technology and Research (Vol. 3 Issue 3, March 2017, pp. 108-112) concludes, “As a lead investigator of the paranormal researching team SPI, I believe one day we can really debunk the paranormal causes and call them normal activities.”
Even though hauntings, ghosts, and spirits remain largely unexplained by mainstream science, various theories and approaches attempt to understand these phenomena. The subject continues to spark debate and intrigue, and further research may shed light on these mysterious experiences.
Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, exploring the science behind ghostly encounters can be a fascinating journey into the human mind and the intersection of science, psychology, and cultural storytelling. By embracing the scientific realm of hauntings with a skeptical mindset and adopting critical thinking, we can navigate through the stories and experiences with a balanced perspective.
