A parapsychologist is someone who studies the evidence for a psychological phenomena. In this article I’m going to discuss the types of tools a parapsychologists use at ghost hunting sites. These people take things from a scientific point of view. They need to prove or disprove, but are they using the right equipment? Using EMF meters, infrared film, tape recorders, and temperature measuring devices, these men and women spend hours, weeks or years trying to scientifically document a haunting.
Here’s a Psychic’s very biased point of view about parapsychology.
The Psychic that is giving these opinions is, famous Psychic, Shirley MacLaine. The first thing she discusses is ghost photography. She says, “Images of someone you know or maybe do not know sometimes show up in a photograph. Sometimes a transparent figure can be seen. Sometimes just white blurs or sometimes “orbs.” Orbs are even more controversial. They are pinpoints of light that appear to be floating or hovering in the picture. The only problem is, a speck of dust on the lens or a reflection off a shiny object can give you the same image. So many pictures I have seen have been faked, intentionally or accidentally. Other “ghost” images can simply be created (accidentally or deliberately) by cigarette smoke, a camera strap hanging into the field of view, reflections off a shiny surface, or even a finger in front of a lens. Occasionally I have seen convincing pictures, but not very often.”
The next thing that Shirley discusses is electronic voice phenomenon (EVP). She says, “This is one part of parapsychology I DO have a lot of faith in. A regular cassette tape recorder is run, sometimes with a microphone, sometimes without. During the recording process, at the investigation site, nothing audible is heard. Upon playback however, in the pops and hisses and white noise of the tape, sounds and voices can be heard. Sometimes just a few words, sometimes complete statements! It is thought that a ghost’s verbal thoughts in the form of energy are picked up and embedded on the metal surface of the magnetic recording tape. It seems to work. I have had great first hand experience with EVP. The best thing is anyone can try it! Remember to turn the volume all the way up on the tape recorder on playback. EVP sounds are usually faint and buried in the background noise. So listen very carefully, and do not expect to always get something, it take practice and patience!”
Lastly, Shirley discusses her point of view on meters and gauges. She says, “Love the hand held thermal atmosphere guns, hate the rest. The silliest thing I ever spent money on was an “EMF meter.” Two hundred dollars and you too can have one of the key pieces of equipment in the parapsychologists arsenal. (I suggest you invest the money elsewhere!) An EMF meter measures changes in electromagnetic fields in the place you are investigating. Supposedly, ghosts will activate the sensor when they come into a room. So will sunspots, AND moving the meter as you walk, AND microwaves AND appliances. You would think by the way my meter’s needle jumped all the time, that I was living in a cemetery! I DO think a ghost’s energy is some sort of energy field. I DO NOT think we have the technology to measure it correctly, yet. An EMF meter is only picking up traces of what it should to truly measure ghosts. I have found that a good combination of Psychic intuition and tested and reliable parapsychologist’s equipment works best on a haunting investigation. The problem is, many scientific-minded parapsychologists do not give an ounce of credence to Psychics. Alas.”
What you need to remember here is that these are all opinions of Shirley MacLaine. Although they are her opinions, her views actually make sense. This is a touchy subject. It is basically split 50/50 with opinions on the subjects of ghosts. Which side are you on?