Information AboutPsychic |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT PSYCHIC | |
| parapsychology | |
| psychic powers | |
| paranormal terminology | |
Belief in paranormal psychic phenomena is common. A survey conducted by the , 2006 The existence of paranormal psychic abilities is highly controversial. Parapsychology explores this possibility, but no evidence for paranormal phenomena has gained wide acceptance in the mainstream Scientific Community . ORIGINS The word psychic is derived from the Greek word ''psychikos'' (of the soul/mental). French astronomer Camille Flammarion is credited as having first used the word psychic, while it was later introduced to England in the 1870s by Edward William Cox.1 A large amount of early Psychical Research was conducted in England during the late 1800s . Some credit William Crookes , an English Chemist and Physicist , as having first used the term in describing Medium and Magician Daniel Dunglas Home .2 POPULAR CULTURE Belief in psychic abilities is common. For example, a 2006 poll by researchers Bryan Farha of Oklahoma City University and Gary Steward of University Of Central Oklahoma , showed that college seniors and graduate students have more paranormal beliefs than college freshmen. According to an article by Steiger, higher education tends to support belief in the paranormal. Steiger, B: "Smart People See Ghosts. Higher education supports belief in the paranormal" Fate Magazine, April 2006 Volume 59, Number 4, Issue 672 Some people also believe that psychic abilities can be activated or enhanced through the study and practice of various disciplines and techniques such as meditation, with a number of books and websites being dedicated to instruction in these methods (see Psionics article for details). Another popular belief is that psychic ability can be inherited. Hargreaves, Julie: ''Psychics - myths & misconceptions'', Nov 2002, Retrieved April 25, 2007. http://www.hark.net.au/articles/psychics_info.htm Many people proclaim themselves to be psychics and/or mediums. Some make a living as professional Fortune Tellers or host their own TV programs, such as John Edward or are featured on the shows of others, such as Sylvia Browne (see Paranormal Television ). PSYCHICAL RESEARCH See Also: Parapsychology which proponents say may show evidence of Telepathy .]] Psychical research is largely conducted in the field of Parapsychology . Parapsychological research uses a variety of Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies. 3 The experimental methods of parapsychologists include the use of Random Number Generators to test for psychokinesis, mild sensory deprivation in the Ganzfeld Experiment to test for Extra-sensory Perception , and research trials conducted under contract by the U.S. government to investigate Remote Viewing . The statistical methods of parapsychologists have generated a number of Meta-analytical studies, which combine the data from several previous experiments into one large data set. Although all of the research methods of parapsychology have contributed to the field, the experimental and statistical methods have attracted much attention and debate. Parapsychology is a Fringe Science because it involves research that does not fit within Standard Theoretical Models accepted by Mainstream Science . Scientists such as psychologists Ray Hyman and James A. Alcock, among others, are critical of the methodology and results of parapsychology. Skeptical researchers suggest that methodological flaws best explain apparently successful experimental results, as opposed to the paranormal explanations offered by many parapsychologists. Some critical analysts argue that parapsychology crosses the line into Pseudoscience . To date, no evidence has been accepted by the mainstream Scientific Community as irrefutably supporting paranormal phenomena. SKEPTICISM |
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