Suggested explanations Poltergeist

1 suggested explanations

1.1 natural phenomena
1.2 unverified natural phenomena
1.3 paranormal

suggested explanations
natural phenomena

many claimed poltergeist events have proved on investigation hoaxes.

psychical researcher frank podmore proposed naughty little girl theory poltergeist cases (many of have seemed centre around adolescent, girl). found centre of disturbance child throwing objects around fool or scare people attention. skeptical investigator joe nickell says claimed poltergeist incidents typically originate individual motivated cause mischief . according nickell:

in typical poltergeist outbreak, small objects hurled through air unseen forces, furniture overturned, or other disturbances occur -- accomplished juvenile trickster determined plague credulous adults.

nickell writes reports exaggerated credulous witnesses.

time , again in other “poltergeist” outbreaks, witnesses have reported object leaping resting place supposedly on own, when perpetrator had secretly obtained object sometime earlier , waited opportunity fling it, outside room—thus supposedly proving or innocent.

according research in anomalistic psychology, claims of poltergeist activity can explained psychological factors such illusion, memory lapses, , wishful thinking. study (lange , houran, 1998) wrote poltergeist experiences delusions resulting affective , cognitive dynamics of percipients interpretation of ambiguous stimuli . psychologist donovan rawcliffe has written poltergeist cases have been investigated turned out based on trickery, whilst rest attributable psychological factors such hallucinations.

attempts have been made scientifically explain poltergeist disturbances have not been traced fraud or psychological factors. skeptic , magician milbourne christopher found cases of poltergeist activity can attributed unusual air currents, such 1957 case on cape cod downdrafts uncovered chimney became strong enough blow mirror off of wall, overturn chairs , knock things off shelves.

unverified natural phenomena

in 1950s, guy william lambert proposed reported poltergeist phenomena explained movement of underground water causing stress on houses. suggested water turbulence cause strange sounds or structural movement of property, possibly causing house vibrate , move objects. later researchers, such alan gauld , tony cornell, tested lambert s hypothesis placing specific objects in different rooms , subjecting house strong mechanical vibrations. discovered although structure of building had been damaged, few of objects moved short distance. skeptic trevor h. hall criticized hypothesis claiming if true building fall ruins. according richard wiseman hypothesis has not held scrutiny.

michael persinger has theorized seismic activity cause poltergeist phenomena. however, persinger s claims regarding effects of environmental geomagnetic activity on paranormal experiences have not been independently replicated and, findings regarding god helmet, may explained suggestibility of participants.

david turner, retired physical chemist, suggested ball lightning might cause spooky movement of objects blamed on poltergeists.

paranormal

parapsychologists nandor fodor , william g. roll suggested poltergeist activity can explained psychokinesis.

poltergeist activity has been believed work of malicious spirits spiritualists. according allan kardec, founder of spiritism, poltergeists manifestations of disembodied spirits of low level, belonging sixth class of third order. under explanation, believed closely associated elements (fire, air, water, earth).