An Introduction to Parapsychology, 5th ed.

This is a thoroughly updated and revised edition of our highly acclaimed university textbook on the science of parapsychology. The objective of this book is to provide an introductory survey of parapsychologists’ efforts to explore the authenticity and bases of anomalous, apparently paranormal phenomena. It outlines the origins of parapsychological research and critically reviews investigations of extrasensory perception, psychokinesis, poltergeist phenomena, near-death and out-of-body experiences, and the evaluation of parapsychology as a scientific enterprise. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Harvey J. Irwin, an internationally recognized parapsychologist, is a retired associate professor in psychology at the University of New England, Australia.

Former president of the Parapsychological Association, Caroline A. Watt is a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Harvey J. Irwin and Caroline A. Watt

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 320
Bibliographic Info: 19 photos, references, indexes
Copyright Date: 2007
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3059-8
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5138-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v
List of Figures      viii

1. Introduction     1
2. Origins of Parapsychological Research      11
3. The Phenomenology of Extrasensory Perception      29
4. Experimental Research on Extrasensory Perception      48
5. Extrasensory Perception and Time      83
6. Psychokinesis      94
7. Special Topics in PK Research      109
8. Theories of Psi      124
9. The Survival Hypothesis      138
10. Poltergeist Experiences      145
11. Near-Death Experiences      157
12. Out-of-Body Experiences      173
13. Apparitional Experiences      192
14. Reincarnation Experiences      208
15. Belief in the Paranormal      222
16. Matters of Relevance      237
17. Evaluation of Parapsychology as a Scientific Enterprise      247

References      263
Name Index      303
Subject Index      309

“excellent…comprehensive…well written…high quality…recommended for public, college and university libraries”—Choice

“highly recommended…give[s] an intelligent overview…clear…organization is excellent”—The Journal of Parapsychology

“fills the gap because it is up to date, formally written, and wide in scope…a particularly useful resource for students and teachers alike…as a textbook, Irwin’s book is the best of its kind”—Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research

“an invaluable source book for students and would-be students of parapsychology…highly recommended”—The College of Psychic Studies