How does parapsycology approaches the unexplained phenomena, is there  a method like the scientific method?
831688
I believe the same methods used to prove physical phenomena can be used to study and document spiritual phenomena.  \n\nFor example, given the developments in nanotechnology and MRI imaging, it won't be long before science can detect, measure and prove the existence of or changes in human brain chemistry and spiritual energy, that occur in cases of demonic oppression and healing through spiritual treatment such as deliverance prayer.\n\nThe same way microscopes proved the existence of "invisible" viruses and bacteria that caused physical infection, I believe technology will be used to prove the existence of demonic energies that cause criminal, mental and physical addictions, as well as the power of prayer to cast out these "spiritual viruses" so that the human mind and spirit can be permanently healed.
763023
The scientific method is the only self-critical and verifiable method used to explain phenomonology.  If something in the Bible stood up to the scientific method that could confirm the existance of a Christian God, I'd believe.\n\nUntil then, probaby not.
1045180
okay, there are a few ways that things like that can be documented... most of which are not easy.  the way that I've found that works good, is go out there with a tape recorder, keep yourself calm, try not to show any fear of where you're at.  Sit down and turn the tape recorder on.  (make sure you have a very long running tape) and just start to have a conversation, once you're all a little comfortable with where your at and the likes, start trying to talk to 'them'.  Once you've been in an area for a while and the energies settle down, if 'they' are out there, they settle and be curious (provided there wasn't a tragic death where the spirits are angry)  and you may not hear them, but just say things like 'if you're out there, don't fear us, we don't mean to upset your balance'  or something like 'we'd like to help answer your questions' just TALK to them... candles are good too, as flashlights illuminate dust particles and candles offer a warm soft glow.  try to find out the history of the place, and relay that into your conversations.  just let the recorder go until the tape runs out.  then when you get home, play it back, but you have to turn the volume up VERY loud, because if you can catch them on the machine, they are extremely hard to hear... that's why people use techniques that they can transfer into a computer and isolate the different sound waves.\n\nNow if you really want to dabble in this stuff... take a ouija board out there... but that can get really strange and sometimes you find things you don't want to find...  so best to stick with trying to lul them into talking to you.  \n\nMost spirits that stay on this plane, are looking for someone who can help them, and once in a while, they'll find a subtle way of letting you know they're there.... but just talk to them, it can help keep them calm and respectful.  Sometimes it can help the group of people to gather in a circle and create a 'protection circle' around you, just stand holding hands and picture a blue ciricle around your group that will keep harm out.... that way, you'll only get the friendlier spirits.\n\nhope this helps... I don't recomend dabbling in this stuff, especially if anyone in the group is 'sensitive' to any form of spiritial energies... but if you're determined, try those methods!\n\nWalkie talkies and cell phones will sometimes pick up things, you wont really be able to understand them, but you may be able to hear things.... but you can't really record that...
395010
the scientific method is an approach to investigation of phenomenon. it has as it's basis the concept of observation of a system, hypothesis of the function of that system, testing the hypothesis to determine validity, all with an eye to discovering the fundamental truth of a given phenomenon.
598671
Scientists don't know everything, but there must be a math involved to prove the theory or something to see before their eyes (my opinion)to believe it. I know many who believe in the paranormal, many having paranormal experiences themselves, and science and religion go hand in hand which also involves the paranormal\n\nHow can scientists solve the matter about ghosts? For a ghost to be freed they must free the weight their soul carries. I actually wrote about this in my msn group because I have my own theories and experiences relating to the soul and body and soul separation and at times had the deceased come to me. In my experiences these were souls requiring the body of a living entity to do what they can't. Afterall the soul is equivalent to the 0, meaning nothing. It requires something (the 1=body) to do its work, see the riddle, and help them. \nObviously there are bad souls as there are good souls, all those that have come to me are troubled by burdens brought on by others. All but one, my children's great grandmother, she used me to say goodbye to the vital blood that she'd never met. \nI have been blessed by the knowledge of knowing that the troubled soul requires the living to help them, to free them.\nBut first, you must be aware of that, only then can you help them. So, if a ghost is present about you, ask them who they are, ask them how you can help them. Then, if you can....\nhelp them to find their path toward the light.\nThere must be a reason why they chose you, was it because they knew you'd know, see them, be able to help them?
965098
I believe this methodological approach compares data from observation of natural phenomena, rather than controlled experiments, to make a credible claim. It may not be feasible, legal, or ethical to do certain experiments, so you basically have to look at what's happening in nature to infer conclusions. Maybe try looking up 'natural experiment' or 'comparative method?'
672488
I believe that the phenomenon we call ghosts and hauntings does exist.  There is no doubt in my mind that people in every culture, every country, and every time have experienced events they cannot explain.\n\nThe real question is "What causes ghosts and hauntings?"\n\nTo that question I willingly will say that I just don't know.  I can tell you that in order to exist on earth, ghosts must obey the laws of the universe.  If they obey the laws of the universe, they aren't really paranormal, rather just not yet with an explanation.\n\nThere are several theories that are actively being studied.  Many paranormal investigators / ghost hunters feel that ghosts and hauntings can be explained by some combination of these.  Some of the more common ones:\n\n* Ghosts are the souls of deceased individuals trapped on earth for one reason or another (this is the theory I have the most trouble with myself)\n\n* Ghosts are a psychological or physical event caused by exposure to abnormally high levels of EMF or spikes in the earth's electromagnetic field\n\n* The phenomenon is caused by an energy imprint left behind when the human body dies.  This energy somehow interacts with the environent.  Some people who come into contact with this energy may experience events associated with hauntings (i.e. hearing voices, seeing apparitions, feeling of being watched).\n\n* Hauntings are a type of recording on the environment and when the conditions are just right that recording will replay.  This is called a residual haunting.\n\n* Ghosts are a psychological event caused by various mental illnesses (I also have a problem with this theory as it would imply that a very significant number of people world have hallucinations caused by mental illness - and that just seems improbable to me).\n\n\nThere are also several different classifications of hauntings that are being studied.\n\n\n\nJaime Henkin\nPresident, Baltimore County Paranormal Research
883610
Mind reading? Technically it is impossible, it is possible however to get an information from the mind by the believers of the idea of "psi".  It is the energy which is basically life. Such is required for one to use to determine what the person knows and feels, according to the belief anyway.\n\nBut what you are describing is a huge coincidence.  It happens every now and then, if it happens everyday and about 10-20 times a day, then it is a paranormal occurance, and then the only thing I can tell you is, take pictures, videos, and any other proof, because that would be amazing.
1101561
There are plenty of documented cases or Astral Projection and OBE (Outer Body Experiences).  Astral Projection is a method of separating the physical self from the Astral Self (Spritual Self)  This can be acheived either by meditation with breathing techniques and other ways including injesting certain herbs.  \n\nOBE is usually the separating of the astral unintentionally.  This happened to my mother in law while going through emergency surgery after the birth of her first child.  SHe could look down at herself and see herself but she said she had no connection to her body and didn't want to go back until she saw the baby.
892179
Someone once told me that Science is a branch of Philosophy.  It employs the scientific method to test an hypothesis.  Seems to me, this Alternative category belongs here under Science and Mathematics, just as much as any other branch of Science and Higher Math.\n\nNot all scientists are narrow-minded in nature.  They do not want to exclude the extensive research and testing done in the fields of Paranormal Phenomena, and Paranormal Psychology.  They challenge the alternatives and test the impossible in order to better understand the world around us.\n\nOther "scientists" need to limit themselves to "normal" phenomena only.  Anything out of the ordinary is quickly dismissed. These people live in a thin plane of existence, where all the rules have to be neat and understandable.  They wish to concentrate on what they know, and can explain, and exclude the rest.\n\nAnd being the most vocal group, and most willing to spend their energy getting labels exactly how they like them, YA will most certainly cave in and move the category.  \n\nAfter the category is changed, I hope they all take a moment to tell NASA to stop looking for alien life, stop worrying about UFO's, and stop exploring the unknown, since we already know all there is to know on the subject, and what they are doing is not considered Science.  Also write to police agencies around the world and implore them to stop seeking the assistance of "Intuitives" as this should be unacceptable in police investigation work, no matter how many crimes have been solved using this kind of help as a tool.
397152
There have never been any documented, verifiable cases of telekinesis/psychokinesis.  \n\nThis points to the probability that telekinesis is not possible, and no one has been able to figure out even a theoretical basis that would make it possible, but doesn't totally rule out the existence of telekinetic ability.  \n\nJust makes it extremely, extremely improbable.
51941
The scientific method or scientific process is fundamental to scientific investigation and to the acquisition of new knowledge based upon physical evidence by the scientific community. Scientists use observations and reasoning to propose tentative explanations for phenomena, termed hypotheses. Under the working assumption of methodological materialism, observable events in the natural world (including the artificial works of humanity) are explained only by natural causes without assuming the existence or non-existence of the supernatural. Predictions from these hypotheses are tested by various experiments, which should be reproducible. An important aspect of a hypothesis is that it must be falsifiable, in other words, it must be conceivable to prove the hypothesis to be false. If a proposition is not falsifiable, then it is not a hypothesis, and instead an opinion or statement outside of the scope of scientific inquiry. It should also be noted that a hypothesis cannot be proven, rather, the data from a given experiment designed to test a hypothesis can either support or disprove that hypothesis.
698153
This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology. \nShort, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in\n\nhttp://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
738508
My sister and I were discussing this last night. She said a good way is to put a tape recorder in a room. Press record and leave it alone for several hours. Then replay it, listening to the static. That is the only way you would hear them. \n\nBeyond that, it depends on how intuned you are to the paranormal. I am very intuned and I get chills down my spine in the presence of anything paranormal. I have only once experienced smell involved.
1090679
Scientific Method\n\nMeans of acquiring knowledge scientifically: the system of advancing knowledge by 1. formulating a question, 2. collecting data about it through observation, 3. experiment, and 4. testing a hypothetical answer.\n\n... I could be wrong though...
1141830
There is no real evidence for the existence of\nmental telepathy. This doesn't mean it does not\nexist, just that no one has any good reason to\nsay it does.\n\nMany people have claimed to have experienced it\nbut so far there is always some other explanation\nof what happened.  So called psychics who claim\nto read minds have been tested.  They always fail\nthe tests.\n\nA prominent magician, James Randi, carries with\nhim a check which he will present to anyone who\ncan demonstrate any paranormal ability under\nconditions that will eliminate the possibility of\ncheating.  A number of people have tried, none\nhas succeeded.  This check used to be for ten\nthousand dollars, but I have heard that it has been\nupped to a million.
503755
You would probably want to study parapsychology.  Parapsychologists study ghosts, ESP, dreams, etc.\n\nYou can get a list of universities that offer degrees in parapsychology by emailing the American Association for Parapsychology at info@parapsychologydegrees.com.  and requesting information on degree programs in parapsychology.\n\nGood luck!