Could you give us an example of what that might look like?
Parapsychology PhD programs?
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Could you give us an example of what that might look like?
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Some examples off the top of my head are listed below. However, as I write them out I am beginning to think that these really aren't too far out there. Maybe the OP had something different in mind, I don't know. I guess I am just frustrated by the constant snarkiness about anything that isn't related to career advancement and the scientification of the field of psychology. Again, I'm not wedded to the serious study of any of these topics...but I would be fascinated to work with those who are.
Investigating some of the principles of Shamanic healing
Looking at the relationship between creativity and psychadelics
Any phenomenological inquiry into schizophrenia
Cultural myths and community mental health
Panic theater and transcending anxiety
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If people do research on these areas (rather than demand they be accepted) then what's the problem?
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And there's the problem....you claim scientific elitism when fairy tales and fables are dismissed for lack of any credible evidence. How about voodoo and the reanimation of the dead....plenty of folk myth about that....does it make it more or less credible then your shamanic healing. Yes, it makes for great TV when the aged witch doctor pulls out his pychedelics and chicken bones and reveals through a vision quest the mysteries of the universe to the chagrin of the foolish scientist....but that's what it is...a great story. Like I said...study it to your hearts content. But tribal ain't true, the X-Files is fiction and don't be hurt because the subject matter isn't taken seriously be the scientific community. The raven is just a raven....
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Wow, there's some seriously close minded thinking going on in this thread and it's almost scary to see the (lack of) intellectual development among some. I've never quite understood the insecurity that some psychologists have about their place in the scientific community, and I'm saddened by the prescriptive attitudes they hold about how psychological science should be. I guess it's an attempt to distance themselves from the history of psychological research.
To help the OP, here are some links you may find helpful:
The Parapsychological Association
The homepage of Dr. Jessica Utts, who has links to good sources of information for serious dialog on these subject matter.
To help the OP, here are some links you may find helpful:
The Parapsychological Association
The homepage of Dr. Jessica Utts, who has links to good sources of information for serious dialog on these subject matter.
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And there's the problem....you claim scientific elitism when fairy tales and fables are dismissed for lack of any credible evidence. How about voodoo and the reanimation of the dead....plenty of folk myth about that....does it make it more or less credible then your shamanic healing. Yes, it makes for great TV when the aged witch doctor pulls out his pychedelics and chicken bones and reveals through a vision quest the mysteries of the universe to the chagrin of the foolish scientist....but that's what it is...a great story. Like I said...study it to your hearts content. But tribal ain't true, the X-Files is fiction and don't be hurt because the subject matter isn't taken seriously be the scientific community. The raven is just a raven....
The topic of scientific inquiry is always, ipso facto, a political decision predicated on the exigences of the society that supports it. Voodoo would be a fascinating topic and, I would imagine, a furtive area for interesting psychological research. "It is witchcraft and BS" is not a very elite argument!
I assure you, my feelings are not hurt by any of this.
If people do research on these areas (rather than demand they be accepted) then what's the problem?
No problem at all. I'm behind that. I make no demands.
The topic of scientific inquiry is always, ipso facto, a political decision predicated on the exigences of the society that supports it. Voodoo would be a fascinating topic and, I would imagine, a furtive area for interesting psychological research. "It is witchcraft and BS" is not a very elite argument!
I assure you, my feelings are not hurt by any of this.
If people do research on these areas (rather than demand they be accepted) then what's the problem?
No problem at all. I'm behind that. I make no demands.
D
deleted103644
All I'm picturing when I'm reading this thread is the opening of Ghostbusters, where Bill Murray is zapping some poor dude for guessing cards wrong and telling a busty coed she's psychic. (Best part is when he zaps the guy even when he finally gets the card right.😀 )
Perfect! thank you
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Awesome!
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I have seen that episode, and related topics tend to fall under cognitive psych (I discussed it in the context of a cognitive/affective class). A lot of the research we read and discussed related to that episode were related to whether free will exists, and what neurological studies show about action potentials in regards to decision making... all of which were truly scientific. So I guess I'm wondering why you'd have to pursue this as pseudo-science, and why you would not do traditional training and research your areas of interest from this perspective...?
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...the potential harm to patients/research subjects? There are very good reasons why there are IRBs at universities and they have such rigorous standards...good science is one reason, while protecting patients/research subjects from harm is another.
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Well since I had originally posed that question - I was asking it broadly. I would assume any research conducted would need to be approved by an IRB, and would need to have an appropriate risk/benefit ratio per federal guidelines.
I guess I am imagining more tests a la Bem (e.g., precognition) and not voodoo interventions. The latter could still be studied, theoretically, if it was in line with research regulations.
OP,
it is no longer called "parapsychology" (for the most part at least)
From what i read the field has morphed to "Anomalistic Psychology" and it is grounded on very hardcore empirical and quantitative research combined with healthy dosages of debunking and critical testing of paranormal hypotheses, as well as the development of explanations and models fron "normal psychology' (e.g. "illusory correlations" and myriads other biases as explanations of the experience of the paranormal).
In a matter of fact, the scientific scrutiny and statistical analysis applied to studies of this field is in par with the most elite experimental psychology and social psychology research. Which is generally much higher than the research done in applied fields sych as psychotherapeutic efficiency.
Unfortunately Goldsmiths in London is the only program i know of
http://www.gold.ac.uk/apru/what/
Research opportunities are extremely limited and i guess that funding would be difficult. In addition, you have to be a very strong critical/rational thinker since the field approaches the paranormal from a scientific/critical perspective rather than with a confirmatory bias as a lot of "older" experimental parapsych research used to (and basically as the majority of mainstream psychology in particular- and a lot of scientific research in general- very often do).
Maybe it would be better to do a mainstream research Social or Cognitive psych PhD researching stuff as cognitive biases, logical fallacies, emotional heuristics in reasoning, the perception of causality, attributions of responsibility, magical thinking, schizotypic traits, the formation of beliefs and attitudes on the paranormal and spiritual etc. and do some "side-research" on stuff such as ESP, precog. etc with a critical eye on the various methodological and statistical factors that could influence any significant results (followed by more "wild" theoretical eplanations sych as various 'quantum" micro phenomena which are usually evoked as possible explanations... )
a good book to start would be this
http://www.amazon.com/SuperSense-Wh...TF8&qid=1345296746&sr=1-1&keywords=supersense
and this one
http://www.amazon.com/The-Believing-Brain-Conspiracies-How-Construct/dp/0805091254/ref=pd_sim_b_4
for traditional parapsychological research this is the only "scientific" one i know of
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-...qid=1345296937&sr=1-1&keywords=parapsychology
As for the other "interpersonal shamanic UFO quantum neuroecopsychotherapy"...please...lol
it is no longer called "parapsychology" (for the most part at least)
From what i read the field has morphed to "Anomalistic Psychology" and it is grounded on very hardcore empirical and quantitative research combined with healthy dosages of debunking and critical testing of paranormal hypotheses, as well as the development of explanations and models fron "normal psychology' (e.g. "illusory correlations" and myriads other biases as explanations of the experience of the paranormal).
In a matter of fact, the scientific scrutiny and statistical analysis applied to studies of this field is in par with the most elite experimental psychology and social psychology research. Which is generally much higher than the research done in applied fields sych as psychotherapeutic efficiency.
Unfortunately Goldsmiths in London is the only program i know of
http://www.gold.ac.uk/apru/what/
Research opportunities are extremely limited and i guess that funding would be difficult. In addition, you have to be a very strong critical/rational thinker since the field approaches the paranormal from a scientific/critical perspective rather than with a confirmatory bias as a lot of "older" experimental parapsych research used to (and basically as the majority of mainstream psychology in particular- and a lot of scientific research in general- very often do).
Maybe it would be better to do a mainstream research Social or Cognitive psych PhD researching stuff as cognitive biases, logical fallacies, emotional heuristics in reasoning, the perception of causality, attributions of responsibility, magical thinking, schizotypic traits, the formation of beliefs and attitudes on the paranormal and spiritual etc. and do some "side-research" on stuff such as ESP, precog. etc with a critical eye on the various methodological and statistical factors that could influence any significant results (followed by more "wild" theoretical eplanations sych as various 'quantum" micro phenomena which are usually evoked as possible explanations... )
a good book to start would be this
http://www.amazon.com/SuperSense-Wh...TF8&qid=1345296746&sr=1-1&keywords=supersense
and this one
http://www.amazon.com/The-Believing-Brain-Conspiracies-How-Construct/dp/0805091254/ref=pd_sim_b_4
for traditional parapsychological research this is the only "scientific" one i know of
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-...qid=1345296937&sr=1-1&keywords=parapsychology
As for the other "interpersonal shamanic UFO quantum neuroecopsychotherapy"...please...lol
Sanman
O.G.
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The only PhDs of parapsychology I am familiar with are Doctors Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler. Though, from what I remember, they have largely left academia in pursuit of the small business arean and more applied uses of their knowledge. Last I heard, they were doing well, but their path is a rare one. 😀
