Psychical school

Psychical School is a term used in the field of psychology and parapsychology to refer to a group of researchers or institutions that study psychic phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis. The term is often used to distinguish these researchers from those in the physical sciences, who study physical phenomena.

History[edit | edit source]

The term "psychical school" was first used in the late 19th century, when researchers began to study psychic phenomena in a systematic and scientific manner. These early researchers included members of the Society for Psychical Research, which was founded in 1882 in the United Kingdom. The society's members included notable figures such as Henry Sidgwick, Frederic W. H. Myers, and Edmund Gurney, who conducted experiments and collected case studies on psychic phenomena.

Research Methods[edit | edit source]

Researchers in the psychical school use a variety of methods to study psychic phenomena. These include experimental psychology techniques, such as controlled experiments and statistical analysis, as well as qualitative research methods, such as case studies and interviews. Some researchers also use paranormal investigation techniques, such as ghost hunting and mediumship, to gather data.

Criticism and Controversy[edit | edit source]

The psychical school has been subject to criticism and controversy since its inception. Critics argue that the phenomena studied by the psychical school, such as telepathy and clairvoyance, are not scientifically valid or reliable. They also argue that the methods used by the psychical school, such as paranormal investigation techniques, are not rigorous or scientific.

Despite these criticisms, the psychical school continues to be an active area of research, with researchers conducting studies and publishing papers on psychic phenomena. Some researchers argue that the psychical school's focus on subjective experiences and qualitative research methods provides a valuable complement to the quantitative methods used in the physical sciences.