Apophenia is the experience of seeing patterns or connections in random or meaningless data.
Pareidolia, a type of Apophenia, involves more auditory senses such as hearing.
Many skeptics of the paranormal claim that this is what is happening when Paranormal Investigators claim to have gotten an EVP; or when we claim to have captured an image of someone or something on video or in a photograph.
I can see this being the result of our “minds playing tricks on us” at times, but what about the others? The times when you are certain that you have, in fact, captured something paranormal. I personally have seen and heard several instances of Apophenia and Pareidolia. I have also seen and heard sounds and images that I believe to be 100% paranormal.
In this field, we have to be very skeptical when it comes to evidence. We, as paranormal investigators, owe it to the client that calls us into to their home to be upfront and honest about our findings. If the skeptics are correct, that all of the EVPs and unusual images that have been captured over the years are just our mind playing tricks on us? If so, what about the client? These individuals are contacting total strangers, asking them to come into their homes, and find out what is happening. If all of this is just our mind playing tricks, what about the client? Are their minds playing tricks on them as well? I think not.
Millions of people around the world claim to have had some experience, which they believe to be paranormal. What about when someone sees a full body apparition? Is that their mind playing tricks on them too? I don’t think so.
I know what I believe, but what about you? Do you think that Apophenia and Pareidolia are valid explanations for electronic voice phemenon and our paranormal images? Why or why not?
Link to read more on Apophenia and Pareidolia...
Apophenia and Pareidolia
Yes, I do believe this happens a lot. There are times I can't understand what the heck an EVP is saying. Sometimes it doesn't even really sound like anything. But funny when I have the influence of suggestion that suddenly my brain will interpret it a certain way. There are also times I think I hear something that doesn't match what someone else thinks it says too. That's when I really get skeptical and think our brains are just trying to make sense of nonsense.
ReplyDeleteBut when they're perfectly clear and there's no mistaking it? Then I think it's a valid EVP. But interestingly that seems to be the exception, not the norm. (There are a lot of EVPs captured but true Class A? IMO they're just not as common as a lot of people would like to believe.)
And as far as apparitions...I've had a few weird shadow figure encounters, but I've never seen an apparition. But I can see how some of the photo evidence of things that aren't quite clear and well formed could be the eyes playing tricks...or is it just that the ghost wasn't powerful enough to fully materialize any more than that? THAT'S what keeps everyone guessing and searching isn't it???
oddly there is a cure for both. Unfortunately it requires a head injury to mess the brain up enough to prevent it from occurring.
ReplyDeleteNow don't judge me on that comment because in this case I am one of those people with such a head injury.
I have problems making out those patterns. Oddly makes me a slight bit better then most at analyzing photos and audio.
Though I don't recommend that paranormal groups go out and find people with brain injuries to help them with ghost hunting. Doing so would be insensitive.
I my case its a bit of a fluke.
Pareidolia and apophenia are related to OCD disordered behavior but are certainly common and most people will experience it in their life.
ReplyDeleteWhat you are seeking to encounter is not so much paranormal as supernatural. We coexist with a spiritual dimension and surprisingly know quite a bit about it. Your standard American English Bible is full of revelation. But your power and authority come only in relationship Jesus Christ