Poltergeist
The term “poltergeist” has
been thrown around in movies, T.V. shows, and books for many years. When many
people hear the term they automatically envision a young blonde girl sitting in
front of a T.V. saying “There here”. We can thank
There are various theories to explain poltergeist activity. These theories are
hotly debated in the paranormal community. Early poltergeist disturbances cite
primarily rock-and dirt throwing, flying objects, loud noises, strange lights,
terrible smells, and or physical or sexual assaults. Modern disturbances
include these as well as more “high tech” antics such as; light blubs spinning
out of their sockets, and telephones repeatedly dialing certain numbers.
Physical assaults such as, scratching, pinching, punching, and sexual
molestations continue to be reported in a small percentage of cases.
Poltergeist activity usually starts and stops suddenly. Disturbances can last
from a few hours to several years, but rarely last more then a few months. In
most cases poltergeist activity will be connected to an individual or agent.
The most common agents are adolescent females under the age of twenty, although
there are documented cases involving male agents. These agents are commonly
“troubled”; many believe that poltergeist activity stems from these agents
living in problem or highly stressful environments.
In the late 1970’s English researchers Alan Gauld and A.D. Cornell made a
computer analysis of 500 poltergeist cases collected from around the world
since 1800. They found 63 general characteristics, such as 24% of poltergeist
incidents lasted longer then a year; 58% were active at night; 48% included
loud “rapping” noises; 64% involved the movement of small objects (this being
the most common phenomenon); 36% showed the movement of large pieces of
furniture, and 12% were characterized by the opening and closing of doors and
or windows. Gauld and Cornell not only studied the different types of
poltergeist activities, they also included the believed causes of the
disturbances.
Their research showed that until about the 19th century poltergeist activities
were routinely blamed on the Devil, demons, witches, and or disgruntled
spirits. Of the 500 cases since 1800 analyzed by Gauld and Cornell only 7% were
blamed on witchcraft, and 2% blamed on demons. Demonic cases resembled
possession and were characterized by a seemingly intelligent and malevolent
being. Gauld and Cornell noted that in such cases, the being did not announce
itself as a demon, nor was there any evidence to prove a demonic presence.
These cases seemed to be a matter of interpretation on the part of the victims,
who believed that they were being haunted by demons causing them to turn to
clergy for exorcisms. Once an exorcism was performed the phenomenon stopped.
Gauld, Cornell, and many other researchers feel that these cases were brought
on by pure superstition.
In modern times poltergeist disturbances are thought to be caused by an
involuntary or unconscious type of psychokinesis (PK) on the part of the
so-called agent or individual. The agent is believed to use an unconscious
thought process that produces the disturbances. Researcher Nandor Fodor was
among the first to pursue this theory in his investigations during the 1930’s.
He tested subjects plagued by poltergeist activity in labs as well as where the
instances occurred. Many psychical researchers questioned his testing
practices, and his findings and conclusions were received with skepticism. Many
other psychical researchers have taken Nandor’s theory and used it to produce
what is now the most commonly accepted theory behind poltergeist activity.
William Roll a world renowned researcher conducted many investigations
regarding poltergeist disturbances. He believed that the phenomenon was caused
by what he called recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis (RSPK). Roll hypothesized
that there are patterns involving RSPK, meaning that the poltergeist activities
are expressions of unconscious PK caused by the individual or agent. Roll
formulated the pattern into a profile. A child or teenager was usually at the
center of the activity, he or she harbored internal anger from some type of
stressful situation in their household. Psychokinesis was an unconscious way of
expressing hostility without fear of punishment. The individual or agent is
often completely unaware of the psychic energy causing the disturbances.
Afterward the individual or agent experiences feelings of pleasure and
happiness without knowing why.
Roll also noted that the agents were often in a poor state of health, either
mentally or physically; and thus predisposed to stressful events. Several other
psychologists have found that many of their patients whom have claimed
poltergeist type activities lived in homes with unresolved emotional or
physical tensions. Moreover in studying the personalities of poltergeist
agents, psychologists have found anxiety disorders, conversion hysteria,
phobias, mania, obsessions, dissocialtive disorders and schizophrenia. In some
cases, psychotherapy eliminated the poltergeist phenomenon.
So are poltergeist disturbances caused by psychokinesis, demons, or perhaps by
mischievous ghosts? We may never find out the answer, but over the next few
weeks I will study several known poltergeist cases and give you a run down of
the phenomenon so that we may all form our own conclusions, and discuss them
here on surgepg.org. Until then keep you eyes, and ears open because you never
know when the paranormal may touch your lives.
Please do not copy article: March
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