Ghosts: There is no evidence for their existence, yet the number of people who believe in them may surprise you. A question arises: What makes us so gullible about things that have no basis in reality?
According to research conducted by market research company YouGov, involving 2,000 participants at the request of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (Assap), 52% of respondents claim to believe in supernatural forces. This marks a significant increase compared to two studies conducted in 2009 and 2005, when the figure was around 40%.
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Why do people believe in the existence of ghosts?
1. It’s how our brains connect
Partly, many of us believe in ghosts simply because of how our brains work, says Barry Markovsky, a sociologist at the University of South Carolina. The human mind is always looking for a meaningful pattern in ambiguous information.
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“Ghosts are often ‘seen’ in circumstances that are not entirely clear, such as in low-light conditions, or when we are just waking up or falling asleep, moments when our senses are not at their most stable,” Markovsky explains.
People who believe in ghosts often have a mindset prepared for situations in which they expect to see ghosts, such as in a haunted house. In other words, if you are looking for something, you are more likely to find it.
2. Belief in an afterlife
A range of supernatural beliefs exist across different cultures; however, ‘ghosts‘ may be the most common, according to Benjamin Radford, deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine and author of “Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries.”
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Part of the reason for the formation of beliefs in ghosts may stem from the belief in the afterlife, a principle found in most major religions. Belief in supernatural abilities also arises from a desire to exert control over our world, Radford explains. After all, the world can be a frightening place where random things happen.
A Gallup poll shows that in the sub-Saharan Africa region, more than half of respondents believe in magic, and these individuals often report feeling less happy than those who do not believe in it. Additionally, a 2008 study found that lonely individuals are more likely to believe in supernatural abilities.
3. Some ways people seek fear from ghosts
A scene from the movie Paranormal Activity. (Image: Youtube).
Of course, another reason people believe in ghosts is similar to why people enjoy horror movies or play with Ouija boards: seeking fear. Essentially, people engage in this because they know they are not in any real danger, Radford states. However, there is a central contradiction in the belief in ghosts. On one hand, there is the opinion that ghosts are frightening and want to harm us, but on the other hand, there are those who seek out ghosts.
Many ghost hunters see themselves as “traffic cops for the afterlife,” according to Radford. Instead of believing that ghosts always bring bad news, they view them as souls that are simply on a different path than humans. As Radford puts it: “If you are truly afraid of ghosts and think they can kill you, then why would you go looking for them?” Of course, movies and television shows about ghosts or ghost hunting are often presented with very little skepticism and are of little help. While they may be entertaining, Radford also reminds us: “Don’t believe everything you see on television!“
4. Reasons many believe in the existence of ghosts from a psychological perspective
One of the strongest reasons people believe in ghosts is the emotional factor. The fear of death and the pain of losing loved ones are very human emotions that are always present. The idea that we or our loved ones may “continue to exist” in some other form after death helps alleviate our fears and comforts the soul. Emeritus Professor Chris French of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London states that while he does not believe in supernatural elements, he does not discourage others from maintaining their beliefs if they bring comfort and positivity to their lives.
In addition to cultural and emotional factors, the human brain can sometimes lead us to misunderstand natural phenomena. Small noises or random events can quickly be linked by the brain to mysterious forces. Our brains are essentially “programmed” to make sense of unfamiliar phenomena and can easily lead us to believe that we are not alone.
