Part 5/9:
Psychologists, like Lydia Benecke, argue that individual perceptions heavily influence experiences deemed supernatural. During experiments at a reputedly haunted location in Germany, participants' expectations ignited feelings of fear and unease, demonstrating how mental states can color perceptions of reality.
Theories of Afterlife and the Human Psyche
Ghosts might symbolize much more than mere unease; they often represent humanity's grappling with existential questions about death and what lies beyond. The ancient belief in the separation of body and spirit gives rise to cultural funerary practices aimed at ensuring peace for the deceased. Psychologists speculate that sightings of ghosts could stem from the subconscious need to confront mortality or unresolved grief.