Why We Are Fascinated By The Paranormal

Curiosity is an integral part of human nature because we just cannot help ourselves. We always need to know more and investigate if all details are not initially apparent. We ask questions and have a thirst for knowledge that is unquenchable, regardless of your age or where you grew up. We always try to find an explanation for everything, no matter how hard we have to look for one, and yet a high percentage of society is absolutely fascinated by the paranormal. There is no apparent scientific reason for paranormal activities and events so why do we maintain that fascination and even nurture it in literature and film?

Our fascination with the paranormal can be explained in a number of ways that relate directly to human nature, two of which play a big part in forming our feelings about paranormal entities such as ghosts, UFOs and hauntings. Fear and the inability to ever find out for sure generally have a huge impact on most people. Many people are fascinated with anything that scares them because it holds a certain amount of power over them, and the paranormal is no different. Fear as an emotion naturally gives the subject of fear power over the individual and this often causes people to look into the supernatural, especially as it is actually fear of the unknown. After all, there is no scientific explanation for the paranormal at all and this in turn makes it the unknown.

As nobody can ever find out for sure whether or not the paranormal entities we suspect exist actually do exist, the topic invites speculation. Human nature dictates that we hate not being able to find out and see proof that the paranormal is out there and so many people choose to use their creativity and imagination. This is why numerous TV shows, movies and various other types of media have explored the paranormal in the recent past. It appears that we are more open to various interpretations and ideas than ever before.

TV and film interpretations of the paranormal both play on our fascination for the paranormal and encourage it at the same time. This is because the idea for shows and films are based on existing beliefs but then pass those on to their audience, thus spreading the belief. This may explain why we are not only fascinated by the paranormal but also why more people than ever seem to believe in something that is considered supernatural or paranormal. Research has proved it!

Believe it or not, statistics confirm that we are well and truly fascinated with the paranormal. In fact, they reveal that we are more fascinated than you may think. It may come as a surprise that 45% of Americans aged 18-29 professed to believe in ghosts and three quarters of all Americans hold at least one paranormal belief. The latter incorporates ghosts, life after death, hauntings, UFOs, aliens and other similar entities. These statistics were confirmed by a Gallup poll that was carried out in 2005. However, the more we find out the more fascinated we seem to become so do not be surprised if these statistics increase in the future!