Here we will discuss the many terms we as paranormal investigators use during and between investigations.
Paranormal - a general term that describes unusual experiences that lack a scientific explanation, or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure. In parapsychology, it is used to describe the potentially psychic phenomena of telepathy, extra-sensory perception, psychokinesis, ghosts, and hauntings. The term is also applied to UFOs, some creatures that fall under the scope of cryptozoology, purported phenomena surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, and other non-psychic subjects. Stories relating to paranormal phenomena are found in popular culture and folklore, but the scientific community, as referenced in statements made by organizations such as the United States National Science Foundation, contends that scientific evidence does not support paranormal beliefs
Ghost - popularly held to be the disembodied spirit or soul of a deceased person. Popularly described as insubstantial and partly transparent, ghosts are reported to haunt particular locations or people that they were associated with in life or at time of death. Phantom armies, ghost-animals, ghost trains and phantom ships have also been reported. A poll conducted in 2003 showed that more than half of adults in the United States believe in ghosts and/or demons. Ghosts or similar paranormal entities appear in film, theatre, and literature; legends and myths, and some religions.
Apparition - an act or instance of appearing, including: a religious vision such as a Marian apparition; or certain ostensibly paranormal experiences such as ghosts, doppelgänger or bilocation; or any other apparitional experience (i.e. anomalous, quasi-perceptual experience).
Demons - In religion, folklore, and mythology a demon is a supernatural being that is generally described as a malevolent spirit. In Christian terms demons are generally understood as fallen angels, formerly of God. A demon is frequently depicted as a force that may be conjured and insecurely controlled. The "good" demon in recent use is largely a literary device (e.g., Maxwell's demon), though references to good demons can be found in Hesiod and Shakespeare. In colloquial parlance, to "demonize" a person means to characterize or portray them as evil, or as a source of evil. The mythical Sweeney Todd was accorded the title Demon Barber of Fleet Street in a 1936 film. The 19th-century Australian cricketer Fred Spofforth was nicknamed "the Demon (Bowler)", partly because of his tactic of inspiring fear in batsmen.
Spirit - The English word "spirit" has many differing meanings and connotations, but commonly refers to a supernatural being or essence transcendent and therefore metaphysical in its nature: the Concise Oxford Dictionary defines it as "the non-physical part of a person". For many people, however, spirit, like soul, forms a natural part of a being: such people may identify spirit with mind, or with consciousness, or with the brain.
Debunk - A debunker is an individual who discredits and exposes claims as being false, exaggerated or pretentious. The term is closely associated with skeptical investigation of topics such as U.F.O.s, claimed paranormal phenomena, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine, religion, research outside mainstream science or pseudoscientific subjects.
E.V.P. - Electronic voice phenomena, are electronically captured non-vocal sounds that resemble voices. Some people claim these sounds are of paranormal origin. Others claim there are natural explanations such as apophenia (finding significance in insignificant phenomena), auditory pareidolia (interpreting random sounds as voices in their own language), equipment artefacts, and simple hoaxes. Recordings of EVP are often created from background sound by increasing the gain (i.e. sensitvity) of the recording equipment. According to parapsychologist Konstantin Raudive, who popularized the idea, EVP are typically brief, usually the length of a word or short phrase.
