What Is Parapsychology And How To Study It?
Parapsychological phenomena have puzzled the world for two hundred years. Ever since the mid-nineteenth century, unexplained phenomena have finally found themselves in the realm of science.
Far from magical thinking, parapsychology, or transpersonal psychology, is the scientific approach to mysterious occurrences.
The rise of institutional study in the 1970s and 1980s has lent the subject some credence. Yet, in this highly skeptical modern world, parapsychology struggles to be taken seriously.
To learn more about parapsychology and where you can find courses to become a parapsychologist. Follow our guide, and we'll share the best parapsychology course that will help you launch your career.
What is parapsychology?
Definitions of parapsychology differ. It is the study of phenomena, such as telepathy, that defy typical explanations. Parapsychology specializes in human behaviors and the mind, as opposed to external paranormal forces.
The history of parapsychological studies began in the mid-nineteenth century. Over the years, parapsychology experiments have included clairvoyance, telepathy, precognition, and reincarnation.
Clinical psychology, educational psychology, and the scientific community are largely skeptical about the accuracy and relevance of parapsychology.
James Alcock, a prominent critic of parapsychology, worked hard to dismiss parapsychological studies. Similarly, James Randi tried to reconstruct magic tricks to explain parapsychological phenomena.
Parapsychology does not claim to be magic. Instead, it is the scientific study of inexplicable occurrences. Have you ever had a bizarre experience? Becoming a parapsychologist might enable you to explain the inexplicable and discredit critics.
Furthermore, parapsychology has its place in counseling psychology. Whether or not you believe that telepathy is possible, it is important to study why some people do it so you can help them.
What are the different types of parapsychology?
Many branches of anomalous phenomena exist that include and are not limited to the following:
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Telepathy.
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Clairvoyance.
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Mediumship.
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Precognition.
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Psychokinesis.
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Near-death experiences.
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Reincarnation.
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ESP.
1. Telepathy
Telepathic communication is the sharing of thoughts or feelings through mental interactions. Dream telepathy, similarly, is the communication between people via the medium of dreams.
The study of telepathy is fascinating in developmental psychology, particularly of twins. However, child development parapsychology is a largely unexplored science area, and Zener cards have experimented with telepathy.
In this test, there are five cards with different symbols. One person pictures one of the symbols, and the other knows the answer by direct mental interaction. There is a 20% chance of getting it right, so researchers must repeat the test multiple times to prove a telepathic link.
Telepathy is an integral part of social psychology. We have all experienced the strange phenomenon of knowing what someone else is thinking. Taking a course in parapsychology will help further the research on telepathic studies.
2. Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance is the ability to know or understand knowledge about something distant in time or space. While telepathy comes from another person's mind, the source of prophecy is unknown.
Clairvoyance usually takes the form of dreams or visions in human experiences. Psychical research efforts to prove the phenomena exist include remote viewing.
This experiment in a controlled setting encourages the clairvoyant to reveal a hidden target without using their senses. There is little scientific evidence to prove clairvoyance yet.
3. Mediumship
Mediumship is the mental interaction with living and dead beings, and a medium can communicate between spirits and humans.
There are different types of mediums, including seance, trance, and ouija. Mediumship is a widely contested psychic phenomenon.
Thanks to its popularity in the media and the horror genre, mediumship is rarely taken seriously, and scientific study regularly debunks frauds to this day. To learn more, consider taking a parapsychologist course.
3. Psychokinesis
Psychokinesis is the power to move things in the physical world using only the power of your mind and might include psychic healing or moving objects.
Parapsychology research on psychokinesis psychic powers is sparse. However, it should be relatively easy to test as you can assess whether any physical factors are making something move in a controlled area like a parapsychology laboratory.
Studying psychokinesis will open up your mind to the powers of the paranormal. Online training courses discuss how and why some people experience this phenomenon and how to advance scientific research.
4. Near-death experiences
Near-death experiences are well-known for inducing paranormal activity. We've all heard of someone who almost (or clinically did) die experiencing a life-changing moment.
Even if your heart stops momentarily, you are more susceptible to the spirit world when you die. The field of parapsychology understands near-death experiences as out-of-body experiences, a feeling of peace, meeting dead relatives, and experiencing a life review.
Studying parapsychology gets us closer to understanding why, when we die or almost die, we experience such phenomena. Is it a brain reaction to the unthinkable, or is it a glimpse of life after death?
5. Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the study of life afterlife. Reincarnation has strong roots in certain cultures and religions, for instance, Buddhism. It is the idea that your spirit or soul is reborn in another person or physical form after you die, and memories of previous lives fade during childhood.
Reincarnation research, predominantly conducted by psychiatrist Ian Stevenson, is extensive. Over forty years and 2,500 case studies, Stevenson examined children with memories of past lives.
He was always careful to claim his studies were "suggestive of reincarnation" or showed "reincarnation type" and never outright declared to prove the existence of past lives. Parapsychologists, however, place a great deal of importance on the theory of reincarnation.
6. ESP
ESP stands for extrasensory perception, and ghost hunting might come to mind. Studies of paranormal activity suggest that some minds have a sixth sense that can sense paranormal phenomena. ESP is the broad term to describe telepathy, clairvoyance, and mediumship.
How do you become a parapsychologist?
The best way to become a parapsychologist is to get to know the field. Read journals, such as the Consciousness Studies, that cover parapsychological developments.
Join parapsychological organizations:
As discussed earlier, parapsychology is not taken seriously by the scientific community. Therefore, colleges and universities rarely offer education in parapsychology.
The best path to becoming a parapsychologist is to enroll in psychology programs. You can do an online bachelor's or online master's course in psychology. Take care choosing where to study; some psychological researchers do have parapsychology educational opportunities in their classes.
The University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies and the University of Edinburgh's Koestler Parapsychology Unit all offer parapsychology research units.
Parapsychology is a particular career. A solid basis in psychology, an understanding of the field of natural phenomena, and an open mind will kickstart your career.
How to study parapsychology?
As mentioned above, very few degree masters or education programs have a parapsychology unit. The most successful way to become a parapsychologist is to major in psychology, then specialize. Career planning is crucial as it is such a niche path.
At Courses for Success, we offer a Parapsychology Online Bundle, with five certificate courses in parapsychology. You can investigate the paranormal through the course by learning about parapsychology, psychic development, mediumship, astral projection, and channeling.
Upon completion of each course, you will receive a certificate of achievement. The program is run by distance learning, providing flexibility for you to study. Become a professional parapsychologist in the research laboratory to research paranormal affairs.
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