Psychic phenomena are defined as "phenomena lying outside the sphere of physical science or knowledge." How does this occur? There are a great many writings on both sides of the question of whether psychic experiences are even real. However, much research does not yield corroborated evidence as to why psychic phenomena occur.
Psychic Phenomena
Academic Journals
Alvarado, C.S., & Nahm, M. (2011). Psychic phenomena and the vital force: Hereward Carrington on "vital energy and psychical phenomena." Journal of The Society For Psychical Research, 75(903), 91-103.
Carrington argued that metabolic processes, and life itself, were produced by a vital force that did not depend on the body for its production: this force could be projected from the body and cause physical phenomena, such as movement of objects and materializations.
Evaluation: While his views are in some ways inconsistent with other parapsychologists, they remain a valuable window to past aspects of parapsychological theory.
Howard, R.G. (2010). Can an ordinary person be trained to use the psychic senses? Journal of Spirituality & Paranormal Studies, 33(2), 101-110.
Summary: Psychic faculties are commonly available to most people. This is not generally recognized because it is not believed to be true. One must first believe in the reality of an event before one can perceive it and achieve it. If more people used their psychic senses, there would be a higher probability of the various psychic phenomena. Evaluation: Much easy to understand details are given to learning about the Perceiver Faculty of the Brain and how to train to effectively utilized extrasensory consciousness.
3. Hankey, A. (2007). The influence of psychic phenomena: a new light on health. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 13(8), 787-788.
Summary: Our brains' conscious perception uses quantum states; this is a sufficient condition for psychic phenomena to be possible. Evaluation: Language is a difficult to understand when trying to make a connection of psychic abilities to meditation. It suggests that any technique for promoting the healthy function of the subtle bodies will benefit health.
Magazine Periodicals
4. Powell, DH (2009). Twin telepathy and the illusion of separation. Shift: At The Frontiers of Consciousness, (22), 20-25.
Summary: It notes that despite substantial reports and evidence that validated the psychic phenomena, the scientific community remains largely resistant. It cites the revolutionary phenomenon of telepathic communication between twins. Evaluation: With merit, article depicts numerous cases that have been gathered in the past that cannot be explained through synchronicity or genetics.
5. Boom times on the psychic frontier. (1974). Time, 103(9), 75.
Summary: article focuses on the psychic phenomena in the U.S. And abroad. It states that the book "The Secret Life of Plants" became a bestseller in the U.S. By offering an astonishing and heretical thesis. Hence, many believe in the notion of extra sensory perception (ESP). Evaluation: Time takes an objective view of society's perception of psychic phenomena. A thorough explanation as to why this unique ability is suppressed because of society's skepticism.
6. Shea, C. (2011). Fraud scandal fuels debate over practices of social psychology. Chronicle of Higher Education, 58(13), A1.
Summary: Article discusses the academic field of social psychology and examines how research practices within the discipline are being influenced by the news media and the use of fraudulent data in his reports, plus the manipulation of statistics. Evaluation: Convincingly, the author demonstrates the strong desire of some to capitalize on the psychic phenomena that compels them to falsify data.
Web Pages
7. Anders, R. (2009). Psychic phenomena. Retrieved from http://www.world-mysteries.com/sci_4.htm
Summary: The energy of matter and the energy behind matter, which religion calls the spiritual energy and science calls the energy of the quantum vacuum, create a force. The energy of matter oscillates between the stages of energy and of matter. The conscious minds puts data into the unconscious mind with thoughts, words, and actions. Evaluation: Author explains various types of psychic phenomena that contribute to the access of data that is stored and retrieved when a situation arises that it can be used. Because the unconscious mind cannot talk, it just transmits images or feelings.
8. Tan, E. (n.d.). Psychic Phenomena Require Belief to Function. Retrieved from http://www.mindreality.com/psychic-phenomena-require-belief-to-function
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