IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 10 NO. 2 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jhsp.v10.no2.2024.pg51.59

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Extra Sensory Perception; Reality or Myth

Michael Mbiriri Ph.D.

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Abstract

Extra sensory perception (ESP) is a debatable and controversial topic in psychology and neuroscience. ESP is claimed paranormal and psychic abilities. It includes telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, recognition and psychometric. Many people have feelings that certain things happen by mere coincidences. ESP is also referred as the sixth sense which receive information that is perceived by the mind rather than obtained through the known physical sensation. Ancient societies used to rely on the talents of the healers who possessed supposedly abnormal abilities. Usually their powers were related to the presence of deity. It was not until 20th century that ESP phenomenon began to be investigated in the world of science. John Rhine is considered to be leading figure in rise of parapsychology. He conducted numerous experiments on extra-sensory perception. Many scientific researchers do not view ESP as empirical and knowledge based phenomenon. Much of scientific community reject ESP due to absence of solid evidence base and lack of clear theory that can explain ESP. In addition, there is lack of experimental techniques that can support the presence of ESP with reliable results. On the other hand, many people believe in extra sensory perception. This includes ability to communicate with thoughts as well as the ability predict the future. Today ESP research appears alongside orthodox psychology research in high profile peer reviewed journals. Many of these studies appear to provide evidence for existence of ESP. The purpose of this study is to investigate the existence of ESP and psychic experiences through literature review. In this article, the researcher took both sides of the arguments to find out whether extra-sensory perception is a reality or myth. Literature reviewed in this article shows a strong evidence for extra sensory perception and ability to sense future events.

keywords:

Extra-sensory perception (ESP), Telepathy, Parapsychology, Clairvoyance, Precognition

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