Parapsychology is the study, typically using
scientific methods, of unusual mental powers or the presence of
spirits, which phenomena are so far unexplained and the reality of which are doubted by most scientists and others. Typical subjects in parapsychology include [extra-sensory perception]
? (including
telepathy, clairvoyance
?, and precognition
?), [near-death experience]
?s, and
telekinesis, usually grouped into two broad categories of
Anomalous Cognition and
Anomalous Operation. If taken as real, these phenomena would have no obvious explanation within the parameters of (established) science, and so most scientists believe that proof of actual occurrences would require revision of existing physical and psychological models. Therefore, part of the mission of parapsychology is to establish scientifically, using repeatable, well-controlled experiments, whether or not the various alleged parapsychological phenomena are real--or whether, on the other hand, reports of them might be explained by other means (e.g., coincidence
?, fraud
?, or imagination
?, auto-suggestion
?, or some other sort of psychological explanation).
Parapsychology is sometimes considered a sub-branch of psychology. There is a well-known professorship and program at the [University of Edinburgh]? in parapsychology and a handful of other programs around the world, including at [Duke University]? and [University of Utrecht]?. Historically organisations such as the Society for Psychical Research have represented parapsychology.
Parapsychology is not taken seriously by most mainstream psychologists and other scientists, who say that, despite a great deal of laboratory work, no carefully controlled and conducted experiments have ever given any evidence that of the [anomalous phenomena]? they investigate are actually real.
The Parapsychological Association ( http://www.parapsych.org/ ) is the professional association of parapsychologists and is affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Parapsychology is usually considered pseudoscience by those who deny the existance of paranormal phenomena.
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