Sociological and Phenomenological Issues in Parapsychology [para-ac03]

AIPR Advanced Certificate in Parapsychology—Unit Outline

Sociological and Phenomenological Issues in Parapsychology [para-ac03]

Scope

  • alternative views on paranormal experience
  • emergence, construction, and purpose of psi processes in various societies
  • skepticism regarding parapsychology

Essay Topic

Critique one theory or viewpoint that specifically refers to the sociological forces that relate to paranormal phenomena.

NOTE: Essay must be no longer than 3000 words and formatted in APA-style. (APA stands for American Psychological Association. All the references given below are in APA-style. Please follow that style in your essays.)

For guidance on how to write an essay, see: Guide to Writing a Basic Essay

Required Reading

Heath, P. (2005). Experimental research: Unveiling psi through phenomenological enquiry. In M. A. Thalbourne & L. Storm (Eds.), Parapsychology in the 21st century: Essays on the future of psychical research (Chapter 15). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [For a copy, contact Dr. Lance Storm]

McClenon, J. (2006). Origins of belief in life after death: The Ritual Healing Theory and near-death experience. In L. Storm & M. A. Thalbourne (Eds.). The survival of human consciousness: Essays on the possibility of life after death (Chapter 13). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [For a copy, contact Dr. Lance Storm]

Wooffitt, R. (2006). Some observations on spirit participation in medium-sitter interaction and its organisation. In L. Storm & M. A. Thalbourne (Eds.), The survival of human consciousness: Essays on the possibility of life after death (Chapter 12). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [For a copy, contact Dr. Lance Storm]

Optional Reading

McClenon, J. (2005). The ritual healing theory: Hypotheses for psychical research. In M. A. Thalbourne & L. Storm (Eds.), Parapsychology in the 21st century: Essays on the future of psychical research (Chapter 14). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [For a copy, contact Dr. Lance Storm]

Storm, L. (2005). A socio-empirical perspective on skepticism about psi. In M. A. Thalbourne & L. Storm (Eds.), Parapsychology in the 21st century: Essays on the future of psychical research (Chapter 12). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [For a copy, contact Dr. Lance Storm]

Wooffitt, R. (2005). Language and the study of parapsychological phenomena. In M. A. Thalbourne & L. Storm (Eds.), Parapsychology in the 21st century: Essays on the future of psychical research (Chapter 13). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [For a copy, contact Dr. Lance Storm]

Click Here to Enrol