Anomalistic psychology is the study of human behaviour and experience connected with what is often called the paranormal, with few assumptions made in advance about the validity of the phenomena being reported. Rather than starting from a judgment that paranormal claims are true or false, the field treats the reported experiences themselves, and the ordinary psychological processes that may produce them, as its own proper subject of study.
Facts
Central QuestionWhat naturalistic psychological and physical processes explain experiences that people call paranormal, without assuming the reported phenomena are genuinely supernatural. 1 Key DebateWhether a century of failed attempts to demonstrate paranormal ability under controlled conditions proves such abilities do not exist, or merely leaves the question open, the position skeptical researchers reject. 1 Connections
Associated With
Anomalistic psychology studies the same paranormal and anomalous claims parapsychology investigates, but from a skeptical psychological explanatory standpoint.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Anomalistic psychology
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening sentence
In psychology, anomalistic psychology is the study of human behaviour and experience connected with what is often called the paranormal, with few assumptions made about the validity of the reported phenomena.
Modern research section, C. E. M. Hansel quotation
after 100 years of research, not a single individual has been found who can demonstrate ESP to the satisfaction of independent investigators.
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