Mod 10

Extrasensory Perception
Unit 10.2

Shannon Hyde
Have you ever had a dream that later came true, perhaps causing you to wonder if it had predicted the future? Have you ever
felt that someone else's thoughts were reaching you directly, or that you were aware of another person's thoughts without any
direct communication with them? Or ever thought that you had received a communication from someone who had passed on to
the "other side"? Certainly, many people have claimed to have had experiences like these. The real question is whether such
experiences are simple coincidences or a reflection of normal anxieties, or alternatively, do they reflect the operation of some
mysterious non-sensory processes that we simply don't understand?

Learning Objectives

This website assumes that you already understand the basics of research on sensation and perception, and are at least a little
bit curious about so-called "paranormal" phenomena. As you browse through this unit, keep the following questions in mind:

1. What is Extrasensory Perception (ESP)?

2. What does it mean to say that ESP is "negatively defined" and why does this matter?
3. What is parapsychology and what are the different types of ESP?
4. Do you think that your reactions to the ESP material covered here are likely to be
related to your initial beliefs about ESP, negative or positive?

ESP Beliefs on the Rise

Beliefs in the Paranormal and ESP have actually risen in recent years. As shown in the
accompanying image, more than half of Americans believe in some type of paranormal Percentage of Americans who
phenomena, ranging from haunted houses (42%) to astrology (28%). Interestingly, and believe.
despite what researchers and critics have to say, over 50% of Americans believe in
Click on image for larger version
some form of ESP.

As you proceed through this tutorial, use your critical thinking skills to assess and
understand the nature of research into ESP and the paranormal.

Think that You Might Have Psychic Powers?

You can test your psychic ability by using the link below:

Psychic Science.com - Michael Daniels, PhD

Online ESP Test

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Can you read the future in this

crystal ball?