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How can psychologists explain strange experiences such as hallucinations or unusual beliefs in ghosts and angels? This compelling introduction aims to uncover how and why such beliefs occur, exploring explanations based on different psychological models, and evaluating the scientific basis of parapsychology and the challenges that researchers face.

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From the ancient world to the present day, anomalous experiences - such as apparitions, premonitions, out-of-body and near- death experiences - provide stories that continue to mystify and intrigue. In this lively introduction, the authors investigate what these stories signify, and why some people turn to the paranormal for explanation. From defining anomalous experiences to examining the psychological models and methods that have been used to explain them, this text will help open up these strange tales to analysis. Whatever your level of study, this introduction will guide you through the key areas of this fascinating subject.

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Introduction & Overview.- Cognitive Explanations.- Personality and Individual Difference Explanations.- Explanations for Superstitious Beliefs and Behaviour.- Pseudoscience and the scientific status of parapsychology.- Methodological issues related to the study of psi.- Apparitions Out-of-body experiences and near-death experiences.- Mental Mediumship.- Concluding comments.

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NICOLA J. HOLT is Lecturer in Psychology at the University of the West of England, Bristol, and Honorary Research Fellow at the Anomalous Experiences Research Unit at the University of York, UK.

CHRISTINE SIMMONDS-MOORE is Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of West Georgia, USA, where she has developed a course that critically evaluates paranormal experiences.

DAVID LUKE is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, UK, where he teaches the Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience. He is a past President of the Parapsychological Association.

CHRISTOPHER C. FRENCH is Professor of Psychology and Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK.

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