Contextual Mediation of Perceptions in Hauntings and Poltergeist-like Experiences

Lange, Rense; Houran, James; Harte, Timothy M.; Havens, Ronald A.

doi:10.2466/pms.1996.82.3.755

Cited by 35 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In this case, the weak magnetic ®eld would represent a detectable signal, albeit one with no useable information content. The effects of that detection appear to have been incorporated into the subjects' responses, being transferred onto a concurrent, conscious perception (the affective rating of a visual stimulus), an effect seen in a variety of other cases involving the detection of weak or ambiguous signals [Lange et al, 1996].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of 5 s exposures to a 50 μT, 20 Hz magnetic field on skin conductance and ratings of affect and arousal

Stevens

2001

Bioelectromagnetics

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This study investigated the effect of a weak magnetic field (50 microT, 20 Hz sinusoidal, 5 s duration) on concurrent perceptions of visual stimuli. Subjects were seated between Helmholtz coils and gave post-exposure ratings for the affective content and arousing nature of presented images. They were blind as to the presence or absence of a simultaneously presented field. Skin conductance and arousal ratings did not show significant differences between experimental and control conditions, but the affective content rating did (P = 0.041), with the images viewed under field exposure being rated as having a more positive affect. Such measures might thus be useful as additional indicators of magnetic field detection. A post-hoc analysis of skin conductance profiles showed that 48% of subjects exhibited a lowering of skin conductance during field exposure, 34% exhibited no apparent reaction, and 17% exhibited an increase. Overall ratings given by each of the groups appeared to relate to these physiological profiles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of 5 s exposures to a 50 μT, 20 Hz magnetic field on skin conductance and ratings of affect and arousal

Stevens

2001

Bioelectromagnetics

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“…Such experiences involve a diverse range of phenomena, including apparitions, unusual odours, sudden changes in temperature and a strong sense of presence (Lange, Houran, Harte, & Havens, 1996). In a relatively small number of cases, witnesses consistently report these experiences in certain locations, often giving rise to the belief that these places are 'haunted'.…”

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confidence: 99%

An investigation into alleged ‘hauntings’

Wiseman

Watt

Stevens

et al. 2003

British J of Psychology

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In cases of alleged hauntings, a large number of seemingly trustworthy witnesses consistently report experiencing unusual phenomena (e.g. apparitions, sudden changes in temperature, a strong sense of presence) in certain locations. The two studies reported here explored the psychological mechanisms that underlie this apparent evidence of 'ghostly' activity. The experiments took place at two locations that have a considerable reputation for being haunted-Hampton Court Palace (Surrey, England) and the South Bridge Vaults (Edinburgh, Scotland). Both studies involved participants walking around these locations and reporting where they experienced unusual phenomena. Results revealed signi cantly more reports of unusual experiences in areas that had a reputation for being haunted. This effect was not related to participants' prior knowledge about the reputation of these areas. However, the location of participants' experiences correlated signi cantly with various environmental factors, including, for example, the variance of local magnetic elds and lighting levels. These ndings strongly suggest that alleged hauntings may not necessarily represent evidence for 'ghostly' activity, but could be, at least in part, the result of people responding to 'normal' factors in their surroundings.Recent polls reveal that approximately 38% of Americans believe that ghosts exist (Gallup, 2001), and 13%report having experienced one (MORI, 1998). Such experiences involve a diverse range of phenomena, including apparitions, unusual odours, sudden changes in temperature and a strong sense of presence (Lange, Houran, Harte, & Havens, 1996). In a relatively small number of cases, witnesses consistently report these experiences in certain locations, often giving rise to the belief that these places are 'haunted'. The best of these cases appear evidentially impressive, sometimes lasting several years and involving a large number of seeminglytrustworthy witnesses reporting unusual phenomena in the same 'haunted' areas (for further information see Gauld &

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“…Third, dreams and RCVH are phenomenologically distinct. Bereavement may be followed by visual hallucinations of the deceased, though more commonly in other modalities Collerton et al: A novel and perhaps not more frequently in the general population of a similarly old age (Grimby 1993;Rees 1971;Schneck 1990;Wells 1983), and there is some evidence that hallucinations interpreted as hauntings are associated with expectancies congruent with this (Lange et al 1996). In contrast, visual hallucinations occupy only the centre of the visual field, with the hallucinator being an observer.…”

Section: Dream Intrusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Believing is seeing in schizophrenia: The role of top-down processing

et al. 2005

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The etiology of visual hallucinations is largely undetermined in schizophrenia. Collerton et al.'s PAD model partly concurs with what we know about neurocognition in schizophrenia, but we need to specify the types of perceptual and attentional abnormalities that are implicated in recurrent complex visual hallucinations (RCVH). Available data suggest that abnormal attentional control and top-down processing play a larger role than the ventral stream deficits.

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Contextual Mediation of Perceptions in Hauntings and Poltergeist-like Experiences

Cited by 35 publications

References 12 publications

Effects of 5 s exposures to a 50 μT, 20 Hz magnetic field on skin conductance and ratings of affect and arousal

Effects of 5 s exposures to a 50 μT, 20 Hz magnetic field on skin conductance and ratings of affect and arousal

An investigation into alleged ‘hauntings’

Believing is seeing in schizophrenia: The role of top-down processing

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