Can you give a description of the differences between the two terms and the two sections on this forum? What types of questions are appropriate in the Parapsychology section, and what types of questions are appropriate for the Paranormal section? Thanks!
What is the difference between Parapsychology and the Paranomal?
Paranormal is a term used to describe a wide variety of phenomena whose only common characteristic is a lack of empirical evidence.
Parapsychology could be seen as a component of the paranormal. It is the study of paranormal phenomena with a human source–ESP, remote viewing, psychic abilities, etc.
This greatly depends on the definitions you are using. In general Paranormal (link below) is an umbrella term that could include ESP, Big Foot, UFOs, Astrology, etc. While, “Parapsychology is the scientific and scholarly study of three kinds of unusual events (ESP, mind-matter interaction, and survival), which are associated with human experience.” (link below) Please note the scholarly and scientific part of the definition. Most people (not all) involved in parapsychology research hold doctorate degree in a conventional science (psychology, engineering. medicine, physics). Very few have doctorates in parapsychology. While paranormal research and investigations not only steps outside of the… Read more »
Parapsychology is where the parapsychologists with all the great answers to the paranormal hang out. It’s always good to go to them if you can’t get good enough answers on the Paranormal Section. I think the Paranormal Section is more for sharing paranormal experiences. I’ve already posted about all my paranormal experiences..so I thought I’d come over here where maybe the people with the great answers are. I still go to the Paranormal Section too…esp. to try to answer questions.
I think there’s a bit of crossover.Parapsychology deals with the non-superstitious aspects of the paranormal.It’s possible a Parapsychologist could be an atheist.The idea of ghosts and demons as silly to them as any skeptic.
Paranormal,usually denotes anything that can not be explained logically,and sensibly.Para psychology is one who investigates,questions or researches the odd or unusual events some have experienced.
Parapsychology is the study of paranormal events including extrasensory perception, psychokinesis, and survival of consciousness after death. Parapsychologists call these processes psi, a term intended to be descriptive without implying a mechanism. Parapsychology is a fringe science because it involves research that does not fit within standard theoretical models accepted by mainstream science. Parapsychological research involves a variety of methodologies including laboratory research and fieldwork, which is conducted at privately funded laboratories and some universities around the world though there are fewer universities actively sponsoring parapsychological research today than in years past. Such research is published in specialized parapsychological publications,… Read more »
Parapsychology is the STUDY of the paranormal.
Paranormal activities are the events and phenomena that are studied by parapsychologists.
Paranormal deals with supernatural phenomena like ghosts, spirits, and werewolves. Parapsychology deals with paranormal psychological phenomena like ESP and telekinesis. It is a subset of all paranormal activities.
-Wilds