Parapsychology Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Historical Origins

• The term originated in the late 19th century, combining 'para' meaning 'beyond' and 'psychology' from the Greek words for 'soul' and 'study'.
• One of the first organizations dedicated to this field was founded in 1882 in London, called the Society for Psychical Research.
• Notable figures like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung had an interest in phenomena related to this area, often pondering the limits of the human mind.

Pop Culture

• Parapsychology appears in various movies and TV shows, often depicting characters with psychic powers, like in the series 'The X-Files'.
• Books and films dealing with the supernatural often explore themes of telepathy, telekinesis, and life after death, capturing public imagination.
• Associations with paranormal phenomena have led to a genre of entertainment that includes ghost hunting shows and psychic readings.

Scientific Perspective

• While mainstream psychology often dismisses parapsychological claims, some scientists conduct research into cognitive phenomena like precognition and psychokinesis.
• Skeptics argue that scientific methods have not consistently validated the claims of parapsychology, leading to debates about its legitimacy.
• Some studies suggest that people may have unexplainable intuitive experiences, sparking interest in understanding the psychology behind them.

Cultural Impact

• Various cultures throughout history have recognized extraordinary mental abilities, from shamans in indigenous tribes to spiritual leaders across Asia.
• The Great Psychic Debate in the 1970s between skeptics and believers raised public awareness and curiosity about these phenomena.
• Parapsychology has influenced spiritual practices, leading to the incorporation of meditation and mindfulness techniques in both Eastern and Western traditions.

Contemporary Research

• Modern studies often explore subjects like mediumship, near-death experiences, and out-of-body experiences to assess their credibility.
• Institutions like the Rhine Research Center continue to investigate phenomena like ESP (extrasensory perception) and its implications for understanding consciousness.
• Despite skepticism, there remains a passionate community that conducts experiments and seeks to explore and validate unconventional mental abilities.

The term 'parapsychology' was first introduced by psychologist Max Dessoir in the late 19th century. It gained popularity in the early 20th century with the rise of interest in psychic phenomena. Parapsychology has been a controversial field, with skeptics questioning the scientific validity of its claims. Despite the skepticism, parapsychological research continues to explore the boundaries of human consciousness and the potential for psychic abilities.

See also: psychological, psychologist.

This word's position of #32,907 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 32904 mucking
• 32905 renumber
• 32906 deconstructing
• 32907 parapsychology
• 32908 reefer
• 32909 eightfold
• 32910 riposte
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