Comments on: What training would it take to be a true paranormal investigator? http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator Learn and Learning Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:00:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Stephen C http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-116 Stephen C Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:15:06 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-116 Similar degrees in USA at: USA Arizona - The Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona offers many courses that focus on issues related to alternative and paranormal studies. These include web-based courses as well as on-campus resources. New Jersey - Princeton University takes a slightly different approach with Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR), with a focus on the "Scientific Study of Consciousness-Related Physical Phenomena" including paranormal studies and remote perception. North Carolina - Duke University's Rhine Research Center is "an Institute for the Study of Consciousness," and offers many psi-related courses, workshops, and seminars. Hope this helps! :) SC Similar degrees in USA at:
USA

Arizona – The Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona offers many courses that focus on issues related to alternative and paranormal studies. These include web-based courses as well as on-campus resources.

New Jersey – Princeton University takes a slightly different approach with Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR), with a focus on the “Scientific Study of Consciousness-Related Physical Phenomena” including paranormal studies and remote perception.

North Carolina – Duke University’s Rhine Research Center is “an Institute for the Study of Consciousness,” and offers many psi-related courses, workshops, and seminars.

Hope this helps! :)
SC

]]> By: kokopelli http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-115 kokopelli Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:15:25 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-115 i like your question,you should not assume nothing in life,let's say for example,you do obtain a degree in an university,with the hope that you will gain the social 'status' you always dream on,only to get back to reality and end up in other work that is not related not even by chance of your obtained degree in "this well known" university,first you have to be born to do what you will do in this existence,it does not matter if you going to have a newspaper stand or a laboratory of your own, follow your heart.... i like your question,you should not assume nothing in life,let’s say for example,you do obtain a degree in an university,with the hope that you will gain the social ‘status’ you always dream on,only to get back to reality and end up in other work
that is not related not even by chance of your obtained degree
in “this well known” university,first you have to be born to do
what you will do in this existence,it does not matter if you going to have a newspaper stand or a laboratory of your own,
follow your heart….

]]> By: stevenB http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-114 stevenB Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:49:15 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-114 Just to try and help you out, let me take a totally different perspective. First, Those few institutions (above) that offer some coursework in parapsychology are about the only ones that do anywhere here on planet E. There's a very good reason for that. And I'm sure I don't need to explain it. Second, parapsychology, having no basis in hard sciences nor much of one even in genuine psychology (a "soft' science), isn't a work-a-day profession. That is, you don't get a degree in it, and then expect to be hired somewhere. It is not a marketable education. In fact, degrees in parapsychology are routinely not even regarded as "real" degrees. Third, real science requires the use of the scientific method (and I mean the full-out, university-level version...not the abbreviated highschool version). Paranormal events do not lend themselves to the rigors imposed by this methodology, and as of today, nobody as yet successfully found a way to get around this. There are a few who are trying, but they've yet to be successful. It's great that you're investigating possible educational options for things that genuinely interest you! That's what you should be doing! Keep it up! But I need to say that if you really are intersted in science, then pursue training in real science. You can always mess with the paranormal stuff on your own time, AND bring your "real" science education to the party when you do. Good luck with your search! I'm sure you'll find the path that's best for you. Just to try and help you out, let me take a totally different perspective.

First, Those few institutions (above) that offer some coursework in parapsychology are about the only ones that do anywhere here on planet E. There’s a very good reason for that. And I’m sure I don’t need to explain it.

Second, parapsychology, having no basis in hard sciences nor much of one even in genuine psychology (a “soft’ science), isn’t a work-a-day profession. That is, you don’t get a degree in it, and then expect to be hired somewhere. It is not a marketable education. In fact, degrees in parapsychology are routinely not even regarded as “real” degrees.

Third, real science requires the use of the scientific method (and I mean the full-out, university-level version…not the abbreviated highschool version). Paranormal events do not lend themselves to the rigors imposed by this methodology, and as of today, nobody as yet successfully found a way to get around this. There are a few who are trying, but they’ve yet to be successful.

It’s great that you’re investigating possible educational options for things that genuinely interest you! That’s what you should be doing! Keep it up! But I need to say that if you really are intersted in science, then pursue training in real science. You can always mess with the paranormal stuff on your own time, AND bring your “real” science education to the party when you do.

Good luck with your search! I’m sure you’ll find the path that’s best for you.

]]> By: Max Marie, SFO http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-113 Max Marie, SFO Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:45:06 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-113 Paranormal investigation is for the most part considered laughable. There are no good places to go and get "educated" about it. You need to go out and get experience yourself. You'll want to study geography. You'll want to study science. Acquire sound knowledge in all things electrical. You'll also want to study audiology so you can tell when a recording has been faked and photography so you can tell when a photo has been doctored. While it's true that paranormal investigation has become a sort of religion with tons of folks out there trying to prove there is life beyond death - there is also a smaller group of people. Religous people who already believe there is a life after death. They aren't out to prove anything. They are out to help those who are under attack. It's a real sore subject for me because some of the paranormal investigators go in to cases of violent paranormal phenomena. Such as "the entity" case. Dr. Gaynor got loads of data, but never got this woman any help. It went on for years. They chronicle such phenomena for years and never get the family or person any help. And then they're PROUD of themselves for all the data they've accumulated. Paranormal investigation is for the most part considered laughable. There are no good places to go and get “educated” about it. You need to go out and get experience yourself.

You’ll want to study geography. You’ll want to study science. Acquire sound knowledge in all things electrical. You’ll also want to study audiology so you can tell when a recording has been faked and photography so you can tell when a photo has been doctored.

While it’s true that paranormal investigation has become a sort of religion with tons of folks out there trying to prove there is life beyond death – there is also a smaller group of people. Religous people who already believe there is a life after death. They aren’t out to prove anything. They are out to help those who are under attack.

It’s a real sore subject for me because some of the paranormal investigators go in to cases of violent paranormal phenomena. Such as “the entity” case. Dr. Gaynor got loads of data, but never got this woman any help. It went on for years.

They chronicle such phenomena for years and never get the family or person any help. And then they’re PROUD of themselves for all the data they’ve accumulated.

]]> By: Ghosthunters Cook Book http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-112 Ghosthunters Cook Book Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:56:53 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-112 Parapsychology and paranormal investigation are not the same thing. Just about anyone can be a paranormal investigator,whether you believe in the paranormal or are a skeptic. The idea being to find evidence to support your beliefs. A parapsychologist would be the one hooking people up to machines in a lab and compiling results. A true Parapsychologist (notice the word psychologist in there) would be someone who has had many years of formal training. Hence, a Parapsychologist could be a paranormal investigator, but without all those letters after your name, you're not a parapsychologist. And you are probably not going to see one on tv or myspace. Oh, and don't be mislead, I've been on lots of investigations and they are nothing like what you see in TV land. It usually involves hours and hours of sitting watching video or listening to recordings to see if you've 'caught' anything. Not really very exciting. Come to think of it, why do I do this?Hmm.... Parapsychology and paranormal investigation are not the same thing. Just about anyone can be a paranormal investigator,whether you believe in the paranormal or are a skeptic. The idea being to find evidence to support your beliefs. A parapsychologist would be the one hooking people up to machines in a lab and compiling results.
A true Parapsychologist (notice the word psychologist in there) would be someone who has had many years of formal training. Hence, a Parapsychologist could be a paranormal investigator, but without all those letters after your name, you’re not a parapsychologist. And you are probably not going to see one on tv or myspace.
Oh, and don’t be mislead, I’ve been on lots of investigations and they are nothing like what you see in TV land. It usually involves hours and hours of sitting watching video or listening to recordings to see if you’ve ‘caught’ anything. Not really very exciting. Come to think of it, why do I do this?Hmm….

]]> By: psiexploration http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-111 psiexploration Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:15:11 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-111 Let me correct the false information Once Again. Franklin Pierce College offer an undergraduate in psychology with a minor in parapsychology. The University of Virginia has a Perceptual Studies Division. The University of Arizona has Human Energy Laboratory. University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in parapsychology and conducts research via the Koestler Parapsychology Unit. The Parapsychological Association has been an affilitate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science since 1969. The web site lists the educational background of several of their members. Michael John Weaver, M.S. Let me correct the false information Once Again.

Franklin Pierce College offer an undergraduate in psychology with a minor in parapsychology.

The University of Virginia has a Perceptual Studies Division.

The University of Arizona has Human Energy Laboratory.

University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in parapsychology and conducts research via the Koestler Parapsychology Unit.

The Parapsychological Association has been an affilitate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science since 1969. The web site lists the educational background of several of their members.

Michael John Weaver, M.S.

]]> By: T R http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-110 T R Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:37:26 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-110 In agreement with eri's answer, the only "true" paranormal investigator is one that uses rigorous scientific methods in the study of the paranormal. You're not likely to find that kind of investigation with any paranormal organization. "Paranormal investigators" are looking specifically for any evidence to support belief in the paranormal, otherwise they'd simply be called "investigators". In agreement with eri’s answer, the only “true” paranormal investigator is one that uses rigorous scientific methods in the study of the paranormal. You’re not likely to find that kind of investigation with any paranormal organization. “Paranormal investigators” are looking specifically for any evidence to support belief in the paranormal, otherwise they’d simply be called “investigators”.

]]> By: eri http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-109 eri Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:20:23 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-109 There are no accredited universities in the US offering degrees in parapsychology. There are very few pracitcing parapsychologists in this country simply because, in all the years it has been studied, not once has there ever been a substantiable case of paranormal powers or activities. But if you want to study it, look up Joe Nickell (probably the only real paranormal investigator out there who actually uses real science) and CSICOP. There are no accredited universities in the US offering degrees in parapsychology. There are very few pracitcing parapsychologists in this country simply because, in all the years it has been studied, not once has there ever been a substantiable case of paranormal powers or activities.

But if you want to study it, look up Joe Nickell (probably the only real paranormal investigator out there who actually uses real science) and CSICOP.

]]> By: dano718boy http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator/comment-page-1#comment-108 dano718boy Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:51:09 +0000 http://blendlearn.com/what-training-would-it-take-to-be-a-true-paranormal-investigator#comment-108 Most field of science laugh at the Idea of Paranormal experiences. They have trouble in the fact that this events can not be recreated. Science is base on the idea that the experiment can be copied by anyone and that the results well be the same. That is almost impossible with Paranormal events. It is true that there are Teachers and Professors that are looking into studying what is really happening in the events that are called paranormal but they mostly do this quietly and on their own time with thier own money. I know of no College in the USA that has a coarse of study in the Paranormal. For now all of the studies will be done by those on the fringe of scientific fields. Most field of science laugh at the Idea of Paranormal experiences. They have trouble in the fact that this events can not be recreated. Science is base on the idea that the experiment can be copied by anyone and that the results well be the same. That is almost impossible with Paranormal events.

It is true that there are Teachers and Professors that are looking into studying what is really happening in the events that are called paranormal but they mostly do this quietly and on their own time with thier own money. I know of no College in the USA that has a coarse of study in the Paranormal.

For now all of the studies will be done by those on the fringe of scientific fields.

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