Effects of the Paranormal on the Community

An astonishing estimate of three out of four Americans believe in the paranormal. That’s approximately two hundred and thirty four billion out of three hundred and twelve billion Americans. The rising paranormal interest negatively affects a community. The economic influence of the paranormal can destroy a town and its reputation. In addition, the belief in the paranormal can leave a person mentally disturbed and cause learned helplessness. This, which affects the people, can hurt a community if a person affected by either is put into a position of power. Also, as seen in the late Victorian era, belief in the supernatural can cause people to turn against one another in large numbers and in turn disrupt their community.

First of all, the growth of curiosity in the paranormal may have undesirable effects on the community’s economy. The popularity of television shows and web sites dedicated to searching out haunted locations is on the rise. This is especially common in rural areas where there is a need for jobs to boost the failing economy. The owners of small inns and century old buildings found in rural areas are now seeking out the stamp of approval of such paranormal investigations found on these television shows and web sites. These rural societies thought they had the right idea to bring in business for their small towns but did they ever stop to think of the damage their actions would have on their communities?

These small inns, century old buildings, etcetera are calling in these paranormal investigators to determine whether or not their business is haunted. More often than not, these detectives are being paid which may influence their determination of the place being haunted or not. Also, some businesses may throw in a...

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...r not, the existence of the possibility is damaging our country.

Works Cited

Kennedy, J. E., & Kanthamani, H. (1995). An exploratory study of the effects of paranormal and spiritual experiences on people’s lives and well-being. Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 89, 249–264.

Kennedy, J.E., & Taddonio, J.L. (1976). Experimenter effects in parapsychological research. Journal of Parapsychology, 40, 1-33. Also at http:/jeksite.org/psi/jp76.pdf

Stacy’s Journal of the Paranormal. Pages 32-35. Volume 31. Issue 4. Published by Awesome Publishing. September 2011.

Information in Life, Consciousness, Quantum Physics, and Paranormal Phenomena. (2010), J.E. Kennedy, http://jeksite.org/psi/info1.pdf

Personality and Motivation to Believe, Misbelieve, and Disbelieve in Paranormal Phenomena. (2005) Journal of Parapsychology. Volume 69, pp.263-292.