PSYC 110-01, Psychological Explanations of Paranormal Experiences, Fall 1998

Abstract

The term the "paranormal" is broad and ill-defined; a list of potential paranormal topics can be found on pages 2-3. A major portion of the course will examine the "scientific evidence" for paranormal beliefs, with a heavy emphasis on the scientific method and what constitutes proof to scientists as compared to laypeople. You will be introduced to the notion of control groups, placebo effects, randomness, observational bias, logical difficulties with establishing the existence or non-existence of a phenomena, etc. This course takes a skeptical stance by trying to explain "away" the paranormal by using psychological theories or research findings. By the end of the semester, you should have the "critical thinking" skills to determine for yourself whether paranormal experiences merely represent "psychological phenomena" or are something supernatural.