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Ghosts & Hauntings

What drives a child's paranormal experience ?

By T.K. Randall
March 1, 2013 · Comment icon 26 comments

Image Credit: sxc.hu
Are children more open to the paranormal or is there a conventional psychological explanation ?
It is often said that children are more sensitive to paranormal experiences, a concept that has been covered in numerous fictional stories, films and television shows. But is there really a correlation between youth and a likelihood to encounter something supernatural or are children simply more open to letting their fears get the better of them ?

A new study has been conducted in an effort to determine if children who experience nighttime fears are more likely to be open to a belief in imaginary beings and monsters. 80 children aged between four and six were shown images of imaginary figures such as fairies and were then asked if it was possible to go and visit them in real life.

The results suggested that those children who had experienced fears at nighttime were more likely to believe that the characters were real than those who didn't - the level of confusion between fantasy and reality appeared to be measurably greater.[!gad]It is often said that children are more sensitive to paranormal experiences, a concept that has been covered in numerous fictional stories, films and television shows. But is there really a correlation between youth and a likelihood to encounter something supernatural or are children simply more open to letting their fears get the better of them ?

A new study has been conducted in an effort to determine if children who experience nighttime fears are more likely to be open to a belief in imaginary beings and monsters. 80 children aged between four and six were shown images of imaginary figures such as fairies and were then asked if it was possible to go and visit them in real life.

The results suggested that those children who had experienced fears at nighttime were more likely to believe that the characters were real than those who didn't - the level of confusion between fantasy and reality appeared to be measurably greater.
Night terrors and bad dreams are common among young children, and a new study found that that some preschoolers who suffer from nighttime phobias have difficulty telling the difference between fantasy and reality.


Source: Discovery News | Comments (26)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #17 Posted by highdesert50 11 years ago
The stages of growth research has long adhered to the "magic" stage whereby events can be examined by magic. Additionally, we know the brain synthesizes imagery due to incomplete retina coverage but will also accomodate expectancy by manipulating imagery into known constructs. A good example is the Einsteins rotating hollow head: The very young have yet to "learn" what older children and adults have already "mastered" regarding interpreting imagery. So, perhaps, the very young are a bit more "open-minded" and open to suggestion and interpretation.
Comment icon #18 Posted by Mag357 11 years ago
Yep, and many of them are members of this website. lol Even if they think it's a bunch of baloney or not they seem to have an interest in it or no one would have signed up.
Comment icon #19 Posted by SpiritWriter 11 years ago
I think kids see real stuff. They are more specialer than grownies.
Comment icon #20 Posted by Mikko-kun 11 years ago
I dont understand why children should be more ignorant than adults to perceive more of what we call paranormal, I think (my intuition and experience says) it's the other way around, and that we adults lose our touch to that world. I used to have more lucid dreams and more faith in those things when I was a child. And I'm Batman btw so he couldn't have been at the tea with you... got proof.
Comment icon #21 Posted by Beany 11 years ago
I have a couple of grandkids that have experienced the "paranormal", and those experiences were in the company of one of their parents who saw the same thing. The kids weren't afraid, upset, or anxious during the occurrences, and they're healthy, happy, well-adjusted kids, maybe because we don't make a big deal out of it. The last thing we want to do is invalidate their experiences, instead we talk about it, encourage questions and critical thinking. I was an odd child growing up, I think, and it wasn't until well into adulthood that i decided to stop letting others invalidate me or my experie... [More]
Comment icon #22 Posted by Andromedan Starseed 333 11 years ago
this does not prove nothing to me not all the way.while this may be the case for some it does mean this is the case for all and does not mean that that this is the answer for all cases or the only answer.like I said before everybody is different and unique!!:)science is a baby and still in its early ages still so enough said.besides science is rigid and limited.its only useful in 3rd dimensional terms and the 3rd dimensional world!!!so think about carefully about the following saying and mentality science knows all the answers and science is the answer to everything.and especially this is one ... [More]
Comment icon #23 Posted by rustygh 11 years ago
I think its obvious that people who back the paranormal want the kids to "see things" those kids having minds that are still being molded. I believe this is actually a type of child abuse. Even the test sounds like they are leading the child.
Comment icon #24 Posted by sohaelsayed 11 years ago
I agree with this because many adults would go to sleep and dream fantastic things every night and have no clue of their reality ever. i have a strong grip of reality but it is nice to dream of things u wish were real
Comment icon #25 Posted by sohaelsayed 11 years ago
when i was a child i saw things that would scare the mess out of any adult today. I use to see a demon every night when it was time for me to sleep first scared me to death but when i told my parents they never believed me. who would. but as time went on and every night it would be at my window watching me not saying anything not doing anything just watching me. it was actually made me feel safe after a while i saw it for a very long time til my parents put me on meds and called me crazy. I would see alot of other stuff to not just the demon in the window i would see shadows in the night and i... [More]
Comment icon #26 Posted by Lex540 11 years ago
they do see this things but they have no Fear as the are protected By Jesus


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