Roughly three-quarters of Americans believe in some form of paranormal activity, from ghosts to psychic abilities. Yet, according to psychology professor Melissa Maffeo, the explanation may lie not in the supernatural but in the human brain. In her new book Science of the Supernatural, she explores how ordinary factors can trick the mind into experiencing the extraordinary.
Environmental Stimuli: Electromagnetic Fields
Ghost hunters often cite electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as signs of paranormal activity. Studies in reportedly haunted locations like Edinburgh's South Street vaults and Hampton Court Palace have found higher EMF variability. However, experimental manipulation of EMF in labs has not consistently triggered paranormal perceptions. The correlation suggests that EMF might play a role, but causation remains unproven.
Neurological Mix-Ups
Disruptions to the temporoparietal junction, a brain region crucial for embodiment, can cause out-of-body experiences or the sensation of a presence. Sleep paralysis, where REM sleep intrudes into waking, often involves hallucinations of shadowy figures. These neurological glitches may be misinterpreted as ghostly encounters.
Personality Traits: Schizotypy
People high in schizotypy—characterized by magical thinking, unusual perceptions, and difficulty distinguishing self from others—are more likely to believe in and report paranormal experiences. This trait is linked to the same brain area involved in embodiment.
Maffeo concludes that belief in the paranormal acts as a glue, combining with environmental, neurological, or personality factors to create the perception of a ghost. Without belief, the same stimuli might be dismissed as mere oddities.
