General Topics
This section lists articles on a variety of topics that are not found in any of the main categories, from brain research and altered states of consciousness to dowsing, crop circles and other anomalistic phenomena.
Anomalistics
Anomalistics is the study of anomalies unexplained by science, similar to Forteana, but with a greater emphasis on scientific evaluation.
Anthropology and Psi Research
Anthropologists have long been fascinated by belief in the supernatural, a near universal aspect of human culture.
Boggle Threshold
Term coined by Renée Haynes to refer to the level of tolerance of a discomforting new idea, likely to vary from one person to another.
Cold Reading
Discusses the psychological strategies that can be used to simulate a mediumistic communication or psychic reading.
Cottingley Fairies
1920s hoax by two English girls, who persuaded Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that they had photographed themselves playing with fairies.
Crop Circles
The intricate patterns that sometimes appear in crop fields have been attributed to various factors, including supernatural ones..
Dowsing
Traditional method of locating underground water or minerals by the movement of a pair of metal rods, a forked stick or a pendulum.
Electromagnetism and Paranormal Phenomena
Electromagnetism may be implicated in reports of seemingly paranormal phenomena.
Eminent People Interested in Psi
A list of some 200 scientists, thinkers, writers, and artists who took seriously the possibility of psychical phenomena.
Eyewitness Testimony (Analysis)
This article discusses the reliability of eyewitness testimony about paranormal events.
Forteana
Collective term for anomalous or paranormal-seeming phenomena, as exemplified in the writings of Charles Fort (1874–1932).
Human Radiations
The idea that humans radiate biophysical forces was once used to explain psi phenomena such as auras, ESP, healing, and luminous effects.
Infrasound
Infrasound (audio frequencies below normal human hearing) has been suggested as the cause of paranormal-seeming effects.
Jott: Phenomena of Spatial Discontinuities
The everyday misplacements of objects may sometimes have a non-normal cause.
Kirlian Photography
Photographic technique pioneered in Russia that reveals light radiating from living organisms and other objects.
Extraordinary Light Phenomena
The widespread experience of a seeing an extraordinary light, one that brings comfort, love or healing.
Orbs (Light Anomalies)
Light anomalies often seen in photographs and video are attributed by some to the presence of ghosts or spirit entities.
Photography and the Paranormal
Apparently paranormal images captured on film are vulnerable to claims of misinterpretation, poor practice or fraud.
Psi Encyclopedia Style Guide
A reference for contributors to the Psi Encyclopedia, providing guidance on style and presentation.
Richet’s Traité de Métapsychique (Thirty Years of Psychical Research)
A classic review of the literature, published in 1922.
Scientific Mysticism
Describes the theory of mathematician and mystic Michael Whiteman, based in part on his own experiences.
UFOs/Aliens and Psi
Review of the research literature on UFO sightings and alien encounters, which may include claims of psi phenomena.
Witchcraft
Survey of witchcraft beliefs and persecutions in Europe, from antiquity to the late Christian era and its 20th century revival.