A small percentage of Americans believe they have seen or felt a ghost in their presence--which may not be a high number first. However, ideations about those beyond the grave are a major topic in history and even pop culture. It is the basis, also, of a recent study by Dr. Alice Gregory from Goldsmiths University, which claims 1 in 5 Americans have experienced a supernatural phenomenon.
In the survey, just over 2,000 sample participants recounted their experiences. Of the class, 29 percent said they have at the very least contacted the dead by means of feeling or other sensation. The overall report originates from two surveys encapsulating approximately 4,000 American adults.
Dr. Alice Gregory implies these sightings or encounters contain a more simple explanation. Variables such as lack sleep might contribute to a person feeling they are in the presence of a ghost.
She said in a report published on BT.com:
"Hallucinations may occur during this experience Features of REM sleep-- this time the dream aspect-- appears to be carrying over into wakefulness."
An additional variable also capable of affecting a person's susceptibility to encounter the assumed paranormal might be their religious beliefs. Even Professor Claude Fischer of the University of California, Berkley said in a 2013 blog post that "most American adults in the 21st Century say that they believe in life after death and in the devil."
In light of this information, it's been stated that persons who go to religious services at the very least weekly are less liable to say they have seen a ghost (11 percent). Out of those who go less regularly, 23 percent say they have seen a ghost.
Evangelical Protestants are least prone to think they have encountered paranormal activity accompanying those beyond the grave. When broken down, about a third of major demographic groups within the Christian religion (37 percent of black protestants, 35 percent of white Catholics and 29 percent of white mainline Protestants) say they have been in touch with someone who died. About 31 percent of the religiously unaffiliated report contact with the dead.
Research signifies ghost sightings among women are more common than those among men. About 33 percent of women report a ghostly encounter rather than 26 percent of men, Pew says.
In all, the report analyzes about 65 percent of adults who believe in or recount having encountered a supernatural occurrence like ghost sightings or additional spiritual happenings. The survey is based on about 1,000 telephone interviews with adults administered by Princeton Survey Research Associates International.
So whether you've seen a ghost or not, your chances at a supernatural hang out aren't as likely as it may seem. Perhaps if you adopt a faith your probability of seeing a ghost might increase. Nonetheless, here are is a way to spook yourself with a potential video of a poltergeist below.
