The Nature of Ghosts and ghost hunting

diseldriver · The Nature of Ghosts and ghost hunting

The Nature of Ghosts and ghost hunting

Despite many thousands of reports of apparitions since the beginning of history, the evidence for the paranormal remains very sketchy. It is not too hard to see why this is, and why sceptics remain to be convinced; the main reason is a lack of tangible, tabulated evidence. Ghosts stories are almost purely anecdotal, and seem to be very personal experiences. They also mostly seem to focus on trivial, mundane events, which is remarkable when we are often told that ghosts are imprints of violent etc.

behaviour committed in the past and this somehow becomes imprinted upon the environment. We can only presume that many people have died from the mundane, for instance how many times have you read a ghost story where a figure is seen in the middle of the night, walk across the room to the window and vanish?

We all seem to love a good ghost story, but they are sources of frustration. Very little time has been spent trying to understand the nature of ghosts- why do we see them? and what are they? In an era of dwindling science grants and the lack of objective enthusiasm by scientists (particularly in the field of spontaneous casses in parapsychology), sadly, this is one status quo that will be maintained. The burden of providing proof lies with the amateur and his trusty range of secondhand, or custom-built equipment.

Tantalising pieces of experimental evidence and observations have given us a few clues, but, to quote one drama serial, "a ghost is a mass of data waiting for a correct interpretation". It is fair to mention another quote (which I hope I will report reasonably accurately): "In the world of parapsychology, we not only await an Einstein, but an Aristotle." An excellent comment indeed on crude knowledge that we have into understanding the nature of ghosts.

For the sake of discussion, let us assume that you do believe in ghosts, either by faith, religious or otherwise, or by actually seeing one. You do not need convincing. Now, do ghosts occur "all in the mind" as many critics have cruelly suggested, or do they occur in the enviroment? Hopefully, in the discussion that follows, you will be intrigued as I am and will hopefully want to learn more of these elusive apparitions.

Those who dismiss ghosts as being a figment of the mind have one compelling piece of evidence on their side: the seeming lack of interplay between spirits and their enviroment: on the whole, they do not move things around or communicate with witnesses although there are of course exceptions to this. One could easily create a theory that accounts for the movement of objects by psychokinetic abilities on the part of the observer, or poltergeist phenomena but this is hardly satisfactory since, to quote Fortean researchers Janet and Colin Bord excellent maxim, it attempts to explain one mystery by invoking another. Furthermore, ghosts rarely appear on film or videotape; again, there are exceptions to this. Even with infra-red imaging equipment the chances of successfully recording a ghost on film or tape is remote.

Of interest are of those cases where, of many people in a group, only a few see the apparition, the others excitedly asking "what do you see?" One may attempt to use 'mass hysteria' or 'mass hallucination' as one possible explanation but for it to be remarkably selective and for people to see the same thing, unprompted by others, is intriguing to say the least. Also, sometimes video/film equipment does record something. I should also point out here that sometimes cameras have picked up images when even humans don't see anything at all, and others times the reverse situation is true.

T he most widely touted theory regarding ghosts is known as "The Stone Tape" theory, made popular by the excellent BBCtv drama production shown in 1972, and written by Nigel Kneale (the creator of "Quatermass" in the 1950s). In this dramatisation, a group of scientists realise that the image and sounds of the ghost is stored materially in the fabric of an old room and that people sensitive to the recording can play it back in their heads- a fascinating idea since it presupposes that everyone's reaction to the 'ghost' is different- "like eyesight or hayfever". The production is also noteworthy for predicting the digital revolution many years early.

"The Stone Tape" theory relies on no 'external' ghost- everything is perceived in the mind, and nothing can be recorded or analysed on their equipment. Such a 'ghost' would follow a predetermined course of action- walking the same path as in life, although how the recording comes to be imprinted on stone is an interesting theoretical question!

This explanation does have many parallels with 'real' ghost-stories; the apparition that walk through walls where doors used to be, climb up steps that no longer exist etc. The most spectacular cases of this are at The Treasurer's House in York (where a worker in the basement saw a legion of Roman soldiers, whose legs were cut off at the ankles- the current level of the ground), Westminster Abbey (where a priest is seen walking an inch or two above the ground, marking the settling of the ground since he 'died') and Bell Lane in Enfield, London (where a phantom stagecoach allegedly rushes along - 6 feet above the ground).

Science and Ghost Hunting

When scientists debunk ghosts their first statement is usually, “there is no scientific proof of the existence of ghosts.” This is wrong. There is scientific proof. Science even has theories that explain something must be happening beyond what we know and what we can see.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955), Time Magazine's Man of the Century and one of the greatest minds the world has known, taught us that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form of energy into another form of energy. This means that no matter what is done energy cannot be destroyed.

Human beings have both electrical and chemical energy in our bodies. We are organically designed to carry our electrically charged brain and nervous systems. When we die our chemical bodies begin to break down and decompose. The organic side returns to wear it came from - energy changing into a different form of energy as Einstein's law says. So what happens to the electrical energy that flows through our brain? It can't simply disappear or fade away out of existence. That would break the laws of science. That energy has to still be somewhere only now it has changed into a different form of energy. What happens to the energy is really determined by personal faith. No one knows exactly what waits beyond this life. What we do know, thanks to science, is that the electrical pulse energy in each human being will always exist because as a rule it “cannot be destroyed.”

Another great scientist who believed in life after death was Thomas Edison, (1847-1931). Edison was a genius ahead of his time. He invented the light bulb, phonograph, typewriter, electric motor, stock ticker, and 1093 other patented inventions. One of the inventions that he worked on at the end of his career was a secret project, a machine that would let the living see and communicate with the souls of the dead.

Edison believed that that the soul was made up of what he referred to as “life units.” These microscopic particles or life units could rearrange into any form. They retained full memory, personality and were indestructible. Edison's machine would detect these life units in the environment and allow living individual to communicate with the dead. He put many years of hard work into his new creation, but sadly, he died before it was finished. Some called Edison crazy. Others thought that he was onto something bigger than the idea of the light bulb. They believed that if he would have had a little more time, we might all today be living in a very different world.

It's been found that in almost every ghost haunting and poltergeist that there are certain electrical elements at work. Using EMF detectors ghost hunters can monitor these electrical forces. These devices can examine and record even the smallest fluctuation in the surrounding electromagnetic field. Everything gives off some kind of electromagnetic field, even our own bodies. Electrical appliances, like television sets and computers give off higher distortions than a lamp or a toaster would. When ghosts are present there are higher levels of electromagnetic distortions. Many times the distortions are so high that they interfere with the working abilities of computers systems and audio/video equipment. High levels of static electricity are also detectable.

Recording temperature changes is another scientific way of detecting the presence of ghosts. Fluctuations of more than 10 degrees have been recorded in small areas of rooms with constant temperatures. It's a scientific fact that there has to be some form of energy present to alter the temperature. Temperature does not change unless "something" is affecting it one way or the other. In many ghost sightings witnesses report feeling a cold spot. This could be caused by the fact that light does not seem to reflect correctly off of most ghosts, which also gives them a dark form. The light seems to be absorbed into the ghost. The theory is that ghosts absorb both light and heat energy causing the general area around that ghost to be several degrees cooler. There are also hot spots recorded, which could be just the reverse affect occurring. Instead of soaking up the light and heat the ghost is reflecting it back, causing the area to be warmer.

These unexplainable electromagnetic fluctuations and temperature changes are scientific evidence that something is happening. Ghosts are real.

Infra Sound waves and Low Frequency waves

A lot of what is believed to be paranormal is down to Psychological factors? Investigations are mainly conducted at night and in the dark and usually its very cold and similar conditions.
Our minds can make us think we hear and see things which just isnt there.

Normal conditions we can take in all noises etc as its light and our senses are all in tact, but when you are in a dark and quiet place then your senses Heighten and you hear things which you would not normally take in during normal conditions, such as creaking of floorboards, heating systems cooling down. And also we think we can see shadows moving about where most of the time it is our mind playing tricks on us which is all down to Perception and what we think we percieve.

Infra sound waves

It has been suggested that some ghost sightings may be induced by the effect of infrasound on witnesses. It is already known that infrasound could make people feel uncomfortable. Its also suggested that they might experience visual hallucinations as well.
In particular, it was suggested that 19 Hz infrasound might cause a visual disturbance. As a result, paranormal researchers have been looking for infrasound in haunted locations since.

Infrasound is just like audible sound (a compression wave going through the atmosphere) except that the frequency is too low for people to hear it. It is generally defined as below 20 Hz.

Infrasound has few natural sources but they include ocean waves, avalanches, earthquakes and certain wind conditions (eg. storms, hurricanes and wind shear around mountain ranges).

There are also artificial sources of infrasound. Anything with an engine in it can induce infrasound, particularly any form of transport.

Typically, given the few sources, background infrasound is not very loud. However, if it enters a resonant 'cavity' it may be amplified. A resonant cavity, in this case, is a closed volume of space whose dimensions cause the waves to bounce backwards and forwards (or resonate). A room in a building may be of a suitable specific dimensions (which depends on the wavelength of the infrasound) to cause such resonance.

One confounding problem with infrasound is that it operates at the same frequencies as EIFs (experience-inducing fields) that could produce magnetic hallucinations. Thus if there are any suitable metal objects in the area, they may vibrate in sympathy with the infrasound (or they could even be its source eg. an engine). Thus, when infrasound is suspected as the source for a haunting, the possibility of magnetically-induced hallucinations must be eliminated.

Low Frequency sound waves

Several experiments have demonstrated that low-frequency sound waves, known as infrasound, can cause phenomena that people typically associate with ghosts. This includes feelings of nervousness and discomfort as well as a sense of a presence in the room. The sound waves may also vibrate the human eye, causing people to see things that are not there. Usually, these waves have frequencies of less than 20 Hz, so they are too low-pitched for people to actually perceive. Rather than noticing the sound itself, people notice its effects. Infra Sound waves can come from Traffic Vibrations, Any Radio Stations so far away, Taxi Rank offices. These can all be part of Infra Sound Waves.

Auto Suggestion and Mass Hysteria

We all have our own expectations of a haunted building.

As Paranormal Investigators we have to be sensible and not let our expectations take over. If a team is Investigating a place where they know someone was murdered or hurt in an horrific way then straight away the mood of the location is going to feel Grim, Sad and uneasy. This is called Auto Suggestion. Also if someone has been murdered or died an awful way then already you have a negative feeling of the place. If you are Investigating a location/Room where it has maybe Dark wall covering's, feels empty then you could feel a bit down and depressed or maybe this is something else what is making you feel this way and NO it is not Paranormal it is called Infra Sound Waves.

This is why its best that not all team members know what kind of place they are Investigating till they actually get there. If a team member believes they heard a noise than usually another team member will confirm that they heard it to wether they did or not. The Sub-Consious starts playing mind games!

Also something i have learned is Fear feeds Fear, if one person screams and say they have seen something then others will follow in suit and they too will believe they have the same experience. This is why Paranormal Investigators need to be level headed and ready for this kind of Psycological explanations for certain experiences.

Scientific Protocols
Here is some Information which may Interest you. These are just my own Views on the Paranormal the type of Investigating which we do and also certain equipment we use or are wanting to start to use in Our Investigations. I dont necessarily believe in what I have posted below but most i do.
I Personally take an Scientific approach to Investigations anyway so I have an Interest in the following:

Still and video photography - using infrared, digital, and even disposable film cameras to capture evidence of possible visual manifestations, such as orbs, apparitions, and ectoplasm.

EMF measurement - using electromagnetic field meters to detect possible unexplained magnetic fields which some attribute to the presence of ghosts and spirits when used in the correct way.

Temperature measurement - using infrared thermal imaging video cameras, or hand-held infrared surface and ambient temperature sensors to detect changes in the environment, such as cold spots which some believe accompany paranormal activity.

Digital and analog audio recording - to capture anomalous voices and sounds that may be interpreted as EVP, which some theorize are attempts at communication by paranormal entities.

Geiger counter - to measure fluctuations in radiation which some believe will point to a disturbance in spirit energy.

Negative ion detectors - to detect an excess of negative ions which some feel are associated with paranormal activity.

Infrared motion sensors - to detect possible anomalous movement within a given area.

Psychics - trance mediums or "sensitive" individuals thought to have the ability to identify and make contact with spiritual entities. (This practice is considered controversial among groups that prefer a scientific approach or any members who take this step which explains the approach i take.

Demonologists, Wiccans, Healers - individuals who may say prayers, give blessings, or perform rituals for the purpose of cleansing a location of alleged ghosts, demons, poltergeists, or "negative energy". (Also considered controversial among groups that prefer a scientific approach, again which is the path that i personally take.

Skeptics - individuals who proclaim to have a skeptical outlook regarding the existence of ghosts, spirits, and other paranormal phenomena. (This is what I believe)

Interviews - to collect testimony and stories from witnesses, often compiled into a computer database for further study. Some groups also research the history of a location in hopes of learning more about past events and individuals associated with the site.

Many ghost hunters prefer to conduct their investigations during evening hours when "peak" paranormal activity is said to occur. Some groups favor ‘lights out’ or black-out conditions, theorizing that it’s easier to see a possible apparition in the dark since it requires less energy to manifest.

Also before an Investigation its always a good idea to have around 10 minutes of walking about all the locations you will be Investigating to get your bearings especially for when the lights go out!

Enviromental Stress
On Investigation's we use all sorts of different types of equipment from Digial Camera's to Dictaphones.

Investigations are usually conducted over night so its going to be colder. Also batteries are run down much quicker in colder and damp conditions. If someone has a digial camera and brand new or recently re charged batteries and they only last for a few minutes and seem to die then is this because the spirit/ghost is using all the energy from the battery? Personally to me the answer is NO! This is called "Enviromental Stress".

Enviromental Stress can be blamed for batteries been run down quick. Also if you are driving to an Investiagation and the equipment is in the back of the car and you go over bumps in the road etc then this too can cause Enviromental stress to the equipment. The cold and damp atmosphere can cause this as well.

Sometimes if you take the batteries out and keep then in the palms of your hands then this can make them warm up again and if placed back in the camera or equipment there is a good chance of them working again for a short time.

So dont jump to conclusions when your batteries seem to be run down a bit quicker then you expected Think about Enviromental Stress and if this could be the issue.
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SO ARE THERE GHOSTS OUT THERE AND IF SO, THEN GO FIND THEM PEOPLE, HAPPY GHOST HUNTING !!!

san4uzel · Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations

Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations said to be haunted.

Typically, a ghost "hunting party" will involve 4-8 individuals who work as a team to collect evidence of paranormal activity. Ghost hunters usually record data in a scientific manner, making observation using electronic equipment of various types, such as; EMF Meters, digital thermometers, infrared, thermographic, and night vision cameras, handheld video cameras, digital audio recorders, and computers. Organized teams of ghost hunters are also called paranormal investigation teams.

Critics of ghost hunting say there is a total lack of scientifically testable and verifiable evidence in favor of the existence of ghosts, despite centuries of interest in the subject.

Origins

Pliny the Younger recorded what has been regarded as the first story of a ghost hunt in 100 AD. The story was already a century old when Pliny told it, and concerns a haunted house in ancient Athens being investigated by a philosopher named Athenodoros Cananites.

The Ghost Club, founded in London in 1862, is believed to be the oldest paranormal research organization in the world. Famous members of the club have included Charles Dickens, Sir William Crookes, Sir William Fletcher Barrett and Harry Price.

In the mid 1880's, William James, philosopher and founder of the American Psychological Association and brother of Henry James suggested applying scientific method to paranormal questions such as the existence of ghosts or spirits. He found allies in England such as Alfred Russel Wallace, Cambridge philosopher Henry Sidgwick and his wife, Eleanor, Edmund Gurney, and others to form the core of the Society for Psychical Research to collect evidence concerning apparitions, haunted houses, and similar phenomena. The investigators gathered case studies, attended séances, designed tests of claimants' veracity, and ran what came to be known as the ''Census of Hallucinations'', which counted apparitions of persons who were said to have made spectral appearances on the day they died

Similar investigation into hauntings was undertaken by Harry Price through London's National Laboratory of Psychical Research during the 1920s, and later in the 1950s and 60s by American independent researchers such as Hans Holzer and Ed and Lorraine Warren. Other paranormal and parapsychology investigators like Loyd Auerbach, Christopher Chacon and William Roll were each independently conducting field and laboratory investigations in the 1970s and 80s, long before reality TV cast a spotlight onto this subject matter.

Ghost hunting among part-time hobbyists began to be popular in the late 1970s with the founding of the Chicago area Ghost Tracker’s Club, which became the Ghost Research Society (GRS) in 1981. The popularity of the Ghostbusters movie of 1984 may have boosted the proliferation of such "ghost clubs". In the last decade, the term "paranormal investigation" has increasingly been adopted by hobbyist and professional groups who do not investigate any other aspects of the paranormal such as Extra-sensory perception and Psychokinesis, but whose sole purpose is ghost hunting.

Growth

Easy access to information on the world wide web, movies, particularly Ghost Busters, and TV shows, particularly Ghost Hunters are thought to be partly responsible for the current boom in ghost hunting. One popular website for ghost hunting enthusiasts lists over 300 of these organizations throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. There are now hundreds of Internet message boards and web sites dedicated to the pursuit. Many of the sites declare themselves free of Ouija boards, which are frowned upon as unscientific among some paranormal enthusiasts. Along with ghost tracking tips, the sites discuss everything from high-tech equipment to analysis of investigations. Many feature ghost photos and videos, often appearing as blurry mist or blobs of light, called “orbs” by insiders. Similarly, audio recordings are referred to as "EVPs," or electronic voice phenomena, sometimes sounding like garbles and warbles amid background noise.

Scores of small businesses selling ghost-hunting equipment, ghost investigation services, and even ghost counselling, are booming outside of their prime season, Halloween. Several companies recently introduced new devices billed as ghost detectors, along with the traditional electromagnetic field detectors, white noise generators, and infrared motion sensors. The paranormal boom is such that some small ghost-hunting related businesses are enjoying increased profits through podcast and web site advertising, books, DVDs, videos, and other commercial enterprises.

In the U.S., the popularity of ghost hunting has led to some property damage and injuries, according to news sources. Unaware that a "spooky home" in Worthington, Ohio was occupied, a group of teenagers went to check it out. The homeowner fired shots to scare off the trespassers, shooting a girl in the head. Another group of teenagers in Peru, Maine admitted to accidentally starting a fire while hunting for ghosts inside of a former wood mill. Trespassing or vandalizing ghost hunters have also been arrested in cemeteries in Illinois, Connecticut, and other states.

Among ghost hunters, some are also devotees of urban exploration, a growing hobby where enthusiasts venture into abandoned structures such as hospitals, asylums, and sanatoriums.

While interest in the paranormal heats up, so does the competition between ghost hunting organizations. As many groups scramble for publicity, rivalry and feuds are common. Commercially-active groups such as TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) and IGHS (International Ghost Hunters Society) often attempt to discredit the other's legitimacy

Ghost hunting equipment and methods

Ghost hunters use a variety of tools and techniques to investigate alleged paranormal activity. While there is no universal acceptance among ghost hunters of the following methodologies, a number of these are commonly utilized by ghost hunting groups.

Hand-held infrared temperature sensor of the type used by some "ghost hunters" Still and video photography - using infrared, digital, night vision, and even disposable film cameras to capture evidence of possible visual manifestations, such as orbs, mist, apparitions, and ectoplasm.

EMF measurement - using electromagnetic field meters to detect possible unexplained magnetic fields which some attribute to the presence of ghosts and spirits.

Temperature measurement - using infrared, and thermal cameras, imaging video cameras, and/or hand-held infrared surface and ambient temperature sensors to detect changes in the environment, such as "cold spots", which some believe accompany paranormal activity.

Digital and analogue audio recording - to capture anomalous audio, including voices and sounds that may be interpreted as EVP, which some theorize are attempts at communication by paranormal entities.

Geiger counter - to measure fluctuations in radiation which some believe will point to a disturbance in spirit energy.

K2 meter - to "communicate" with an alleged ghost.

Negative ion detectors - to detect an excess of negative ions which some feel are associated with paranormal activity.

Infrared and/or ultrasonic motion sensors - to detect possible anomalous movement within a given area, or to assist in creating a controlled environment where any human movement is detected.

Air quality monitoring equipment - to assess the levels of gases such a carbon monoxide which are thought contribute to reports of paranormal activity. (Also see carbon monoxide poisoning).

Infrasound monitoring equipment - to assess the level of sound vibrations below 20Hz which is thought to contribute to reports of paranormal activity.

Dowsing rods - usually constructed of brass and bent into an L-shape, dowsing rods may be used by those who feel they help indicate the presence of ghosts and spirits. (Note: may be seen as unscientific.)
Non-objective "equipment"

Psychics - trance mediums or "sensitive" individuals thought to have the ability to identify and make contact with spiritual entities. (This practice is considered controversial among groups that prefer a scientific approach)

Demonologists, Wiccans, Healers - individuals who may say prayers, give blessings, or perform rituals for the purpose of cleansing a location of alleged ghosts, demons, poltergeists, or "negative energy". (Also considered controversial among groups that prefer a scientific approach)

Interviews - to collect testimony and stories from witnesses, often compiled into a computer database for further study. Some groups also research the history of a location in hopes of learning more about past events and individuals associated with the site.

Lights-Out Method - Many ghost hunters prefer to conduct their investigations during "peak" evening hours (midnight to 4 a.m.) when most paranormal activity is said to occur. This time period seems to have been put forth in the 1970s and was supported by Lorraine Warren herself. Most paranormal groups favour the ‘lights out’ or black-out conditions, theorizing that it’s easier to see a possible apparition in the dark since it requires less energy to manifest. According to the theory, spirits/ghosts that attempt to manifest themselves (become corporeal or material-visible) do so by drawing energy from all surrounding sources of both electric and magnetic waves/frequencies.

This is one of the reasons why paranormal groups utilize the Gauss (or Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF)) meter. By drawing these energies from surrounding sources, they are enabling themselves to be seen in this plane of existence.

A popular thought among ghost hunters is that any equipment that behaves erratically (temporary and inexplicable battery drains, electronic units that shut down, flickering lights or other unexplainable anomalies) point to the presence of a spirit/ghost that is attempting to materialize. Some have even explained that people who experience nausea or dizziness are being subsequently affected by these manifesting spirits/ghosts due to the fact that our brain's synapses (all electrically based) are misfiring and causing an equilibrium change that affects the individual's perception.

Additionally, some paranormal investigators point to a disturbance of their equipment by the presence of fluorescent or other types of lighting. Critics of the lights-out method of investigation point to the lack of evidence regarding the apparition-occurrence-to-darkness ratio, indicating that, historically, 80% of full-body apparitions have been witnessed during daylight hours.

Daytime investigations, they claim, will produce markedly better results since the video and photographic evidence will be much clearer and more concise for others who scrutinize such "evidence". Some also experiment in wavelengths on the fringe of human vision including red and ultraviolet light
Types of investigators and groups

Individuals engaged in ghost hunting and paranormal investigation have varying motives for their activities.

Some ghost hunters consider themselves hobbyists whose primary motivation is the excitement of the hunt and the thrill of possibly experiencing something supernatural. Many of these individuals enjoy spending significant time pursuing their hobby.

Others consider themselves serious researchers who follow a number of scientific protocols and share documentation of their research with other groups in an effort to discover proof that ghosts exist. They often go about their pursuit in a prescribed manner in order to gather evidence of paranormal activity at a given location, or debunk "false positive" reports of hauntings. Many established groups fall into this category.

Still others consider themselves to be providing a service, and focus their investigation on offering comfort and assistance to individuals who feel they are experiencing unexplained or paranormal activity at a home or other location. These investigators approach a location with the goal of alleviating the fear and discomfort of the occupants by listening to their experiences and providing advice and reassurance.
Typically, ghost hunting groups are a mix of these differing outlooks.[14] Most advertise their services online, the majority not charging for investigations in hopes of finding new and interesting places to explore.

A note of caution must be added that there exist so-called paranormal groups whose methodology mimics that of a traditional ghost/demon hunting team; however, their primary goal is to frighten the homeowner/client into a belief that they are in danger and that immediate action to "cleanse" the home is imperative. These groups will act quickly to confuse the homeowner/client by pointing to certain items in the home as being "possessed" and will then offer to remove said items to make the home safe. Typically, these items are antiques, relics, or family heirlooms that will later be put on display in a paranormal museum hosted by said group where a charge is incurred for admission to view such articles.

Summarized by other groups there are 4 basic classifications of ghost hunters, where as there are many groups who can fall into 1 or more categories but are mainly defined by the functional purpose of the group.

1- Scientific, where people generally associated with this group are out to either prove or disprove paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, through the use of scientific protocols.

2- Interactive, where people associated within this group use both science and practiced beliefs as a basis to form an answer pertaining to phenomena. This group can include a multitude of groups such as cryptzoology, UFO's, conspiracists, etc.

3- Chasers/Busters, where people associated within this group are avid believers and are out to prove by any means that phenomena does exist, regardless of evidence sometimes.

4- Religious/Spiritual, these are believers who specialize in religious beliefs or occult beliefs and who fight against the practices of negative forces. Such as demons and evil presences. Spiritual believers are those that specialize in aspects of the paranormal where religion is not necessary, ie: demonologists, occultists, etc.