Axxman300
Philosopher
That would make a great plot for a Day of the Dead movie.
My Haunted house and ghost theory put to the test
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That would make a great plot for a Day of the Dead movie.
This is slightly off topic, but after reading this thread I was inspired and came across this Wiki, entitled, "The History of the Jews in Mexico". At first I thought it was about an unreleased Mel Brooks film, but it is actually just what the title says.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Mexico
Now, back to the ghosts. Human perception is interesting to me. I like to hear practical explanations for what we would call "strange" sensations. Things like feelings of "being watched", or that "someone walked over your grave", the hair on your neck standing on end,.etc.. I know there have been times when my nervous system triggered a heightened awareness, and I had no clue as to why
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Mexico
Now, back to the ghosts. Human perception is interesting to me. I like to hear practical explanations for what we would call "strange" sensations. Things like feelings of "being watched", or that "someone walked over your grave", the hair on your neck standing on end,.etc.. I know there have been times when my nervous system triggered a heightened awareness, and I had no clue as to why
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Spektator
Is that right?
Existential angst. Or sometimes bad gefilte fish or churros.
P.J. Denyer
Penultimate Amazing
Will it give you chillies down your spine?
Axxman300
Philosopher
The problem with running an "experiment" in a "haunted" building is that you can't be your own test subject. Psychological tests are worthless when performed on one's self since the answers will almost always be subjective.
You'd need a control group of strangers who are mentally fit, and two or more test buildings. One building should be run-down and the other should be well kept. You hand the test subject clipboards with well thought out questions and send them inside.
My experience is that old, abandoned buildings tend to creep people out which leads to rumors of everything from hauntings to devil worshiping in the basement(or attic).
And there is research to back this up:
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1348/000712603321661886
This is the BBC's write-up of the report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4564383.stm
You'd need a control group of strangers who are mentally fit, and two or more test buildings. One building should be run-down and the other should be well kept. You hand the test subject clipboards with well thought out questions and send them inside.
My experience is that old, abandoned buildings tend to creep people out which leads to rumors of everything from hauntings to devil worshiping in the basement(or attic).
And there is research to back this up:
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1348/000712603321661886
This is the BBC's write-up of the report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4564383.stm
What kinds of questions would you pose?
Thermal
August Member
And how do you insure that the houses are not in fact haunted, whether by proper Caucasian ghosts or some of those pipe hittin Mexican ones?
xjx388
Penultimate Amazing
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There is some truth that Mexican culture is superstitious . . . But the idea that people with Mexican sounding names that own a law firm are “Mexicans” in a cultural or place of origin sense is, uh…problematic.
My wife’s maiden name is very Mexican sounding. Not a Mexican. Doesn’t believe in ghosts.
My dad’s side of the family is pretty dang white. Very much believes in ghosts.
Foolishness knows no racial/ethnic/cultural bounds.
As to your theory, yes, ghosts are a psychological phenomenon. It’s all about being primed by a belief. If I enter a creepy abandoned building, I wouldn’t be scared of ghosts, I’d be scared of the people who might be squatting there. Or spiders. Or other animals.
My wife’s maiden name is very Mexican sounding. Not a Mexican. Doesn’t believe in ghosts.
My dad’s side of the family is pretty dang white. Very much believes in ghosts.
Foolishness knows no racial/ethnic/cultural bounds.
As to your theory, yes, ghosts are a psychological phenomenon. It’s all about being primed by a belief. If I enter a creepy abandoned building, I wouldn’t be scared of ghosts, I’d be scared of the people who might be squatting there. Or spiders. Or other animals.
The Great Zaganza
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I disagree, I have seen goats with my very own eyes! Even heard them!
They are real, I'm telling you! They are REAL!
They are real, I'm telling you! They are REAL!
Bikewer
Penultimate Amazing
For me, the interesting phrase was “reputed to be haunted”.
I recall reading a Skeptical Inquirer experiment where different groups of people were invited to stay overnight in an old home. One group was told that the place was supposed to be haunted. They reported the expected strange sounds, drafts, etc.
The other group was told nothing, and reported nothing.
I recall reading a Skeptical Inquirer experiment where different groups of people were invited to stay overnight in an old home. One group was told that the place was supposed to be haunted. They reported the expected strange sounds, drafts, etc.
The other group was told nothing, and reported nothing.
JayUtah
Penultimate Amazing
I'm obliged to refer to the infamous New York court case of Stambovsky v. Ackley, in which the mere reputation of a haunting became legally cognizable. Appellant Stambovsky entered into a contract with Ackley to buy Ackley's house at a designated price. Ackley had previously reported in the national media anecdotes supporting his belief that the house was haunted. This was not disclosed to Stambovskey, who then sued to rescind the contract on the grounds of misrepresentation. The appellate court ruled that, as a matter of law, the house was haunted whether or not ghosts actually existed and were actually present in the house, noting defensibly that the mere reputation of a haunting affects a property's value. Poltergeists are not covered under caveat emptor because they would not necessarily be revealed even by a diligent inspection.
Thermal
August Member
The Court should have further cited Arkell v Pressdam. In spirit, if you will.
Axxman300
Philosopher
First question for outside, before entry:
How does the house make you feel? Explain why.
Second question upon initial entry:
How does the house make you feel now, and how has this changed, if at all?
Third question for after exiting the building:
How did exploring the house make you feel?
Which rooms made an emotional impression? Why?
It's still subjective but enough to get a feel for how people percieve a run-down building vs a new one.
JayUtah
Penultimate Amazing
The Court does even better than that famous retort. It cites to Shakespeare (Hamlet, of course), and to the movie Ghostbusters. Also, contrary to what I reported above, the respondent in the case, Ackely, was in fact a woman.
Thermal
August Member
I'm trying to remember another court case where some pro se Yahoo was suing Satan. The court obliquely cited The Devil and Daniel Webster among other tongue in cheek reasoning. I'll look it up on laptop when home.
JayUtah
Penultimate Amazing
Perhaps Mayo v. Satan, et al. That's the famous one giggled about in civil procedure classes in law school. It failed on a technically: no way to serve process on the Prince of Darkness.
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Thermal
August Member
That was it, thanks. My oldest had me read it when she was I think in her second year at Law school. PA's federal court had a wicked sense of humor.
gabeygoat
Master Poster
Other than the weird race stuff, not sure why folks are getting on caincain's case. As far as I can tell, he wasn't claiming to have done a s lol I'd experiment, just giving a guess as to why some people are psychologically predisposed to expect a haunting. Regardless of it's accuracy, it's just a guess
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