Research Blog #10: Abstract and Works Cited

 Abstract

The rise in popularity of paranormal media has been followed by a growth of paranormal belief throughout the twenty-first century. The gadgets used in paranormal media results in a scientific presentation of ghosts and paranormal existence. This paper explores how the technology-heavy representation of ghost-hunting tools in paranormal media misleads viewers into believing that ghosts can currently be scientifically proven with evidence like EMF and EVP. This paper also examines the factors behind viewers’ tendency to paranormal belief, such as the naturalizing effect, the public’s lack of scientific understanding, and social influence. 


Works Cited (Note: Formatting may be odd on Blogger despite my attempts at reformatting)

Axtell, Cassie C., "Assessing Electronic Voice Phenomena through Speech Science" 

(2017). Honors Theses. 415. https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/415

Buckner V, John E., and Rebecca Anders Buckner. “Talking to the Dead, Listening 

to Yourself.” Skeptic, vol. 17, no. 2, 2012, pp. 44-49. https://www.academia.edu/2526941/Talking_to_ the_Dead_Listening_to_Yourself_An_empirical_study_on_the_psychological_aspects_of_interpreting_Electronic_Voice_Phenomena

Fitch, Marc E.. Paranormal Nation : Why America Needs Ghosts, UFOs, and Bigfoot, ABC-

CLIO, LLC, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/rutgers-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1183924.

“Friedrich Jürgenson.” Sonoloco, Sonoloco, www.sonoloco.com/rev/singular/friedrich

/fj.html. 

Ghostbusters. Directed by Ivan Reitman. Performances by Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, 

and Bill Murray. Columbia Pictures, 1984. 

Hannah, James. “Ghost-Hunting Groups Enjoy Surge in Popularity.” South Coast 

Today, South Coast Today, 22 June 2008, www.southcoasttoday.com/ article/20080622/NEWS /806220344. 

Houran, James. “‘Sheet Happens!’ Advancing Ghost Studies in the Analytics Age.” 

Australian Journal of Parapsychology, vol. 17, no. 2, Dec. 2017, pp. 187–206. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=127093363&site=ehost-live.

Kirby, David A. “Scientists on the Set: Science Consultants and the Communication of 

Science in Visual Fiction.” Public Understanding of Science, vol. 12, no. 3, July 2003, pp. 261–278, doi:10.1177/0963662503123005.

Maclean Smith, Richard. “Come Talk to Me.” Unexplained. 11 August 

2018, http://www.unexplainedpodcast.com/episodes/2018/8/11/s03-episode-9-come-talk-to-me

Marcus, Adam. “Ghost Lusters: If You Want to See a Specter Badly Enough, Will 

You?” Scientific American, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2008, www.scientificamerican.com/article/ghost-lusters-if-you-want/. 

Pall, Martin L. “Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce 

widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression.” Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, vol. 75, part B, 2016, pp. 43-51, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchemneu.2015.08.001.

“Paranormal America 2018.” The Voice of Wilkinson, Chapman University, 16 Oct. 

2018, blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2018/10/16/paranormal-america-2018/. 

“The Princess and the EVP.” Ghost Hunters, narrated by Mike Rowe, season 8, episode 

11, SyFy, 9 May 2012. 

“Proton Pack.” Ghostbusters Wiki, Fandom, ghostbusters.fandom.com/wiki/Proton_Pack.

Reinstatler, Michelle L. Becoming Legend: Constructing Paranormal Experience and 

Cultural Performance in Ghost-Hunting Reality TV Shows and Recreational Ghost Hunting. Union Institute and University, Ann Arbor, 2019. ProQuest, https://login.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/login?url=?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/dissertations-theses/becoming-legend-constructing-paranormal/docview/2470022231/se-2?accountid=13626.

Ridolfo, Heather, et al. “Social Influences on Paranormal Belief: Popular Versus 

Scientific Support.” Current Research in Social Psychology, vol. 15, no. 3, Center for the Study of Group Processes, 2010, pp. 33–41. https://bit.ly/37ubSUF

Watson, Stephanie. “How EVP Works.” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 30 June 

2020, science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/evp.htm. 

Wilson, Krissy, and Christopher C. French. “Magic and Memory: Using Conjuring to 

Explore the Effects of Suggestion, Social Influence, and Paranormal Belief on Eyewitness Testimony for an Ostensibly Paranormal Event.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 5, Frontiers Research Foundation, 2014, pp. 1289–1289, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01289.


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