Paranormal Activity - Science or Fiction? Investigating Anomalistic Psychology

Explore the scientific examination of paranormal phenomena in this comprehensive lecture by psychologist Chris French. Delve into the field of anomalistic psychology, analyzing claims of psychic abilities, dream detection, and precognition through rigorous testing methods. Understand the replication problem in psychology and the importance of studying paranormal beliefs. Witness demonstrations on memory unreliability, inattentional blindness, and the power of suggestion in spoon bending. Examine the formation of false memories, the connection between alien abduction experiences and sleep paralysis, and the role of top-down processing in pareidolia. Gain insights into the complexities of human cognition and consciousness while critically evaluating seemingly inexplicable occurrences through a scientific lens.

Intro
What is anomalistic psychology?
Testing paranormal claims: baby psychic
Testing paranormal claims: dream detective
Testing paranormal claims: sensing the future
The replication problem in psychology
Why study paranormal psychology?
Demo: The unreliability of memory
Inattentional blindness of witnesses
Spoon bending and memory conformity
How false memories can be implanted
Alien experiences, sleep paralysis and hypnosis
Top down processing and pareidolia