Have you ever seen a ghost, got extra-sensory perception or had a spiritual encounter with something that is not of this mortal realm? If so, a researcher at King’s College London wants to speak to you.
PhD student Raphael Underwood is carrying out a study of Camberwell people who have had mystical, psychic, spiritual or paranormal experiences on at least an occasional basis, in the last five years.
He is attempting to discover what distinguishes those people who find those experiences distressing, and may need further support in understanding them, from those who view them as positive.
“It’s a psychology study not looking at whether paranormal activity is real or not but how people make sense of these experiences,” Underwood explained.
“How people make sense of these occurrences determines how they live their lives.
“People, for example, could hear a voice and they can perceive this as a neutral psychic experience or they could believe they are being contacted by spirits or it could be that a neighbour down the street has implanted a chip in their brain and that is negative.
“So it’s an emphasis on interpretation rather than on the experience itself.
“Two people can have the same experience but interpret it very differently
“But it can lead someone down a productive spiritual journey.”
Underwood is aiming to speak to as many people as possible and will be asking participants to meet for a one-off research session, which should take about two hours to complete.
He will also ask people to carry out computer and mobile phone app based tasks involving simple tests of reasoning and attention, and complete questionnaires on specific experiences, mood and situation.
Participants will be paid £20 for their time plus any travel costs incurred when attending the one-off research session, and all information given is strictly confidential.
The deadline for applications is the end of June next year.
To take part in the study please contact Underwood by email at raphael.underwood@kcl.ac.uk or telephone on 07425 156526.
