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Dagnall N, Drinkwater KG, O’Keeffe C, Ventola A, Laythe B, Jawer MA, Massullo B, Caputo GB, Houran J. Things That Go Bump in the Literature: An Environmental Appraisal of "Haunted Houses". Front Psychol 2020; 11:1328. [PMID: 32595577 PMCID: PMC7304295 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper contains a narrative overview of the past 20-years of environmental research on anomalous experiences attributed to "haunted house." This exercise served as a much-needed update to an anthology of noteworthy overviews on ghosts, haunts, and poltergeists (Houran and Lange, 2001b). We also considered whether new studies had incorporated certain recommendations made in this anthology. Our search revealed a relative paucity of studies (n = 66) on environmental factors that ostensibly stimulate haunt-type experiences. This literature was diverse and often lacked methodological consistency and adherence to the prior suggestions. However, critical consideration of the content revealed a recurring focus on six ambient variables: embedded (static) cues, lighting levels, air quality, temperature, infrasound, and electromagnetic fields. Their relation to the onset or structure of witness reports showed mostly null, though sometimes inconsistent or weak outcomes. However, such research as related to haunts is arguably in its infancy and new designs are needed to account better for environmental and architectural phenomenology. Future studies should therefore address four areas: (i) more consistent and precise measurements of discrete ambient variables; (ii) the potential role of "Gestalt influences" that involve holistic environment-person interactions; (iii) individual differences in attentional or perceptual sensitivities of percipients to environmental variables; and (iv) the role of attitudinal and normative influences in the interpretation of environmental stimuli. Focused scrutiny on these issues should clarify the explanatory power of evolutionary-environmental models for these and related anomalous experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Dagnall
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth G. Drinkwater
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ciarán O’Keeffe
- School of Human & Social Sciences, Buckinghamshire New University, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Brian Laythe
- Institute for the Study of Religious and Anomalous Experience, Jeffersonville, IN, United States
| | | | | | | | - James Houran
- Laboratory for Statistics and Computation, ISLA—Instituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Integrated Knowledge Systems, Dallas, TX, United States
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Collins MWG, Persinger MA. Enhanced power within the default mode network in normal subjects with elevated scores on an egocentric scale. Open Neuroimag J 2014; 8:5-10. [PMID: 25419254 PMCID: PMC4238028 DOI: 10.2174/1874440001408010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrated global power from the primary structures that composed the Default Mode Network (DMN) and from a random collection of other structures were measured by sLORETA (standardized low-resolution electromagnetic tomography) for young university volunteers who had completed an inventory that contained a subscale by which egocentricity has been inferred. Subjects who exhibited higher scores for egocentricity displayed significantly more power within the DMN structures relative to comparison areas. This was not observed for individuals whose egocentricity scores were lowest where the power differences between the DMN and comparison structures were not significant statistically. DMN power was greater in the right hemisphere than the left for men but greater in the left hemisphere than the right for women. The results are consistent with our operating metaphor that elevation of power or activity within the DMN is associated with greater affiliation with the self and its cognitive contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W G Collins
- Department of Psychology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Michael A Persinger
- Department of Psychology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada ; Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
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Saroka KS, Caswell JM, Lapointe A, Persinger MA. Greater electroencephalographic coherence between left and right temporal lobe structures during increased geomagnetic activity. Neurosci Lett 2014; 560:126-30. [PMID: 24287380 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Interhemispheric coherence for 19 channel EEG activity collected over a three year period from 184 men and women who relaxed in a quiet, darkened chamber showed significant increased coherence between caudal temporal regions for the 11 Hz frequency band during increased (>∼8 nT) global geomagnetic activity at the time of measurement. Detailed analyses from source-localization indicated that a likely origin was the parahippocampal regions whose net differences at 10, 11 and 12 Hz intervals were significantly correlated with geomagnetic activity. Analyses of residuals to obtain a "purer" measure of parahippocampal contributions indicated that interhemispheric temporal lobe coherence across unit increments between 1 and 40 Hz revealed the most statistically significant peaks at 7.5 Hz and 19.5 Hz. These weak but reliable correlations between global geomagnetic activity and the degree of inter-temporal lobe coherence for normal people relaxing in a dark, quiet area are consistent with the results of multiple studies indicating that intrusive experiences such as "presences" or "hallucinations" are more frequent when global geomagnetic activity increases above ∼15-20 nT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Saroka
- Human Studies Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6; Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
| | - Joseph M Caswell
- Human Development Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6; Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
| | - Andrew Lapointe
- Human Development Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6; Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
| | - Michael A Persinger
- Human Development Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6; Human Studies Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6; Behavioural Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6; Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
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Potential production of Hughlings Jackson's "parasitic consciousness" by physiologically-patterned weak transcerebral magnetic fields: QEEG and source localization. Epilepsy Behav 2013; 28:395-407. [PMID: 23872082 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Exotic experiences such as the sensing of another consciousness or the detachment of consciousness from the body are occasionally reported by individuals with partial seizures from a temporal lobe focus. The experiences display the characteristics of Hughlings Jackson's "parasitic consciousness". We have hypothesized that these experiences are encouraged by slight discrepancies in hemispheric activity that can be simulated by application of weak, physiologically-patterned magnetic fields across the cerebral hemispheres. Electroencephalographic and Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) data revealed altered activity bands within specific regions within the cerebral cortices during these experiences. The clear changes in power of brain activity were discerned after consistent durations of exposure to specifically patterned weak magnetic fields. Millisecond range point durations were required. The technology may be useful to explore the subjective components associated with complex partial seizures.
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Persinger MA, Saroka KS. Comparable proportions of classes of experiences and intracerebral consequences for surgical stimulation and external application of weak magnetic field patterns: implications for converging effects in complex partial seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2013; 27:220-4. [PMID: 23348244 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Revised: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The similarity of the proportions of different types of experiences reported during surgical electrical stimulation of epileptic temporal lobes published in the scientific literature and those reported following exposures to weak, applied magnetic fields was supported by direct comparisons in a retrospective analysis. Of the 20 types of specific experiences, the surgical stimulation groups reported proportionally more fear experiences, while the groups exposed to temporally patterned magnetic fields applied across the temporoparietal regions reported more somesthetic and vestibular experiences. There were no group differences for the other 17 types of experiences. Calculations indicated that the spread of charge displacement from neuronal membranes by the currents employed in the surgical studies and the magnetic field energy associated with the applied fields could affect similar numbers of cortical neurons. The similar subjective experiences of the two techniques indicate that the less invasive procedures might be employed to systematically study complex partial seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Persinger
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6.
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Johnson KD. A neuropastoral care and counseling assessment of glossolalia: a theosocial cognitive study. J Health Care Chaplain 2010; 16:161-71. [PMID: 20658429 DOI: 10.1080/08854726.2010.492698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper provides an example of the application of neuropastoral care and counseling using neuroscience research on glossolalia, that is, speaking in tongues as practiced in Pentecostal Christianity. The paper is based in part on a 2006 article by Andrew Newberg and assesses glossolalia's biogenic, psychogenic, and theogenic dimensions. The assessment concludes glossolalia is an implicitly learned sacred behavior. Unconsciously learned fears may interfere with the practice of glossolalia. A person, from a Pentecostal Christian background, might see this inability as an act of disobedience or a lack of faith. In such cases, verbal counseling would be of limited assistance. Neuropastoral care and counseling responses begin with reassurance followed by cognitive behavioral interventions such as passive extinction, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and guided imagery.
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Meli SC, Persinger MA. Red Light Facilitates the Sensed Presence Elicited by Application of Weak, Burst-Firing Magnetic Fields Over the Temporal Lobes. Int J Neurosci 2009; 119:68-75. [DOI: 10.1080/00207450802507689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Booth JN, Koren SA, Persinger MA. INCREASED FEELINGS OF THE SENSED PRESENCE AND INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY AT THE TIME OF THE EXPERIENCE DURING EXPOSURES TO TRANSCEREBRAL WEAK COMPLEX MAGNETIC FIELDS. Int J Neurosci 2009; 115:1053-79. [PMID: 16051550 DOI: 10.1080/00207450590901521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In 2 separate experiments involving 39 subjects the incidence of sensing a presence or Sentient Being while being exposed to weak complex magnetic fields over the right hemisphere was moderately correlated with increased global geomagnetic activity during the 3-h periods of the experiences. Analyses of magnetometer values near the laboratory indicated the intensity of the east-west component of the geomagnetic field had been increasing consistently at about 1 pT/s for at least 10 min for a cumulative change of about 15 to 20 nT. The ratios of the durations of alpha rhythms over the temporal lobes compared to the occipital lobes were correlated significantly with both increased geomagnetic activity and the reports of a presence. Removal of the shared variance between the sensed presence and various psychometric inferences of temporal lobe sensitivity and the history of dissociation increased and decreased, respectively, the strength of the partial correlations between geomagnetic activity and the reports of a sensed presence. The results suggest the culturally and historically ubiquitous phenomena of sensed presences are generated by right hemispheric processes that once enhanced by a variety of stimuli, including weak complex magnetic fields, can be encouraged by increased global geomagnetic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Booth
- Behavioral Neursocience Laboratory, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
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Persinger MA, Tiller SG. Case report: A prototypical spontaneous 'sensed presence' of a sentient being and concomitant electroencephalographic activity in the clinical laboratory. Neurocase 2008; 14:425-30. [PMID: 18821169 DOI: 10.1080/13554790802406172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The sensed presence of a 'Sentient Being' has been hypothesized to be the transient awareness of the right hemispheric equivalent of the left hemispheric sense of self. When the clinical context is supportive for the expression of anomalous cognition, the experience is reported frequently by patients who display complex partial epileptic-like symptoms and signs following a mild closed head injury. This article describes a patient with a history of presences subsequent to a 'mild' closed head injury who reported strong experiences during an electroencephalographic screening within a very quiet and darkened setting at the end of a day of neuropsychological assessments. The right-sided presence was preceded by the sensation of an 'electric shock' through the right hand and then both hands. Whole body 'icy coldness' and then vibrations 'moved' through her entire body. The experiences were concomitant with paroxysmal irregular 4-5-Hz activity over the temporal lobes. This case illustrates that many sensed presences might be similar to 'epileptic auras' for patients who also display elevated complex partial epileptic-like experiences following closed head injuries and that close attention to typically ignored electroencephalographic 'transients' may be helpful indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Persinger
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Neuropsychology Laboratory, Laurentian University Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
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St-Pierre LS, Persinger MA. Experimental facilitation of the sensed presence is predicted by the specific patterns of the applied magnetic fields, not by suggestibility: re-analyses of 19 experiments. Int J Neurosci 2006; 116:1079-96. [PMID: 16861170 DOI: 10.1080/00207450600808800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
If all experiences are generated by brain activity, then experiences of God and spirits should also be produced by the appropriate cerebral stimulation. During the last 15 years experiments have shown that the sensed presence of a "Sentient Being" can be reliably evoked by very specific temporal patterns of weak (<1 microT) transcerebral magnetic fields applied across the temporoparietal region of the two hemispheres. Recently Granqvist et al. (2005) attributed these effects to suggestibility and exotic beliefs. Re-analyses with additional data for 407 subjects (19 experiments) showed that the magnetic configurations, not the subjects' exotic beliefs or suggestibility, were responsible for the experimental facilitation of sensing a presence. On the other hand, the subjects' histories of sensed presences before exposure to the experimental setting were moderately correlated with exotic beliefs and temporal lobe sensitivity. Several recent experiments have shown that the side attributed to the presence at the time of the experience is sensitive to the temporal parameters of the fields, the hemisphere to which they are maximized, and the person's a priori beliefs. The importance of verifying the specific timing and temporal pattern of the software-generated fields and following an effective protocol is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S St-Pierre
- Behavioral Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
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Persinger MA, Koren SA. A response to Granqvist et al. “Sensed presence and mystical experiences are predicted by suggestibility, not by the application of transcranial weak magnetic fields”. Neurosci Lett 2005; 380:346-7; author reply 348-50. [PMID: 15862915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2005] [Revised: 03/17/2005] [Accepted: 03/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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