Why do people believe in Ghosts?
-by Ishita Mondal
–Reading Time – 8 min Approx
–Edited by – Srishti Bhattacharyya
As per a recent study, 52% of UK residents and 42% of Americans believe in ghosts. The myths and stories about ghosts are not new. We tend to listen to or read spooky stories since early childhood. Many people claim that they have experienced ghosts in real life as well. So, in short, there is a strong affirmative belief in ghosts prevailing around us. Famous festivals like Halloween are arranged to celebrate that age-old belief.
As traditional belief states, a ghost is an unusual entity that you cannot see or experience in regular situations. When you get into a condition favorable for the emergence of the ghost, you may see them. However, as per paranormalists’ explanations, there are many other factors associated with the experience of ghosts.
On the other hand, most modern rationalists and researchers do not support this belief. Instead, they come up with many science-backed theories and logic to prove that ghosts do not exist. So, when there are such contradictory theories, why do people believe in ghosts? Do ghosts exist or not? Are ghosts real?
To get the answers to the questions, we have to dig deep into the matter. Let us first clear the concept of a ghost. What is ghost? Once it is explained, you will understand why people believe in ghosts.
What is Ghost- The Definition, Tradition, and Myths:
A ghost is usually defined as a specter of a dead person who is not bound to any mortal limitations regarding movement, instinct, and so on. The tradition says that ghosts and living beings can hardly coincide together. Being a normal human being, you cannot see ghosts all the time. It is said that ghosts appear in front of you when requires. For example, if the apparition has some message to convey to somebody, it may appear in front of you and ask you to be its messenger.
Some supernatural powers are also attributed to ghosts. Sometimes, the ghosts of the loved ones seem to warn about some impending danger and so on. Also, you may experience ghosts for no reason if the situation is favorable. For example, as per the tradition, on full moon nights, some particular trees may trigger the appearance of ghosts.
There are many myths at different places associated with ghosts and their activities. It is the task of paranormal activists to find out how far they are true. As per the most interesting one, ghosts become active at night. However, many people have experienced ghosts in broad daylight as well. Although another myth suggests that ghosts are only available inside the old, dilapidated house, paranormal activists often say that ghosts can live anywhere. It may be available just beside you while reading this article.
Why do people believe in Ghosts – The Possible Psychological Reasons:
For once, people can negate traditional religious beliefs. But, usually, the belief in ghosts is as prevalent as nothing. People often fall for supernatural tales and develop different concepts of ghosts. Gradually, it builds up the traditions and myths, as we mentioned in the previous section of the article. Whether ghosts exist or not is another area of study. We can live that for another discussion. Here, we will ponder over the reasons that lead to the belief in ghosts.
As per the experts, there are psychological explanations for this faith. Psychologists like Christopher French often point out some interesting psychological facts for which people believe in ghosts. Being indulged in anomalistic psychology research, French studied and analyzed different paranormal experiences.
Thus, he strived to find out practical reasons behind them. As per Christopher, we tend to misinterpret the experiences apparently due to the notions inculcated into our brains about weird beliefs.
Contradictory Ways of Thinking:
If we get into the studies of our cognitive thinking, we will find out that we have two ways of thinking which are contradictory to each other. One is a reactionary way of thinking, and another one is rational thinking. While rational thinking gives you a more accurate result, people tend to go for reactionary ways of thinking. It happens because of our default instinct.
Since primitive times, we tend to follow our basic instinct first. Reason comes after that. It is quite similar to the instinct of the animals. They often sense their predators by listening to some sound or something like that. This reactionary thinking process is quick and abrupt. Although it helps you to get into quick action, it may lead to serious misinterpretations of the triggering factors.
Another way of thinking is rational thinking. When we approach the factors with a logical sense, things hit differently. But it is a slow process depending upon the multiple pieces of evidence. The slow process may lead to a delay in actions. Sometimes, people may get entangled in thoughts while approaching everything rationally. However, more accurate results are likely to come out when we think in this way.
How Two Ways of Thinking Leads to Psychological Illusions:
Entanglement between the two kinds of thinking often brings in biased thoughts. It may develop the condition of patternicity.
What is patternicity? Well, let us explain. Have you ever tried to connect threads among the facts or incidents that are unrelated? This tendency is called patternicity. Many paranormal experiences are described as such a chain of events connected together with a belief. For example, if somebody experiences an automatic shutdown of light followed by the presence of cold air and eerie sounds, they may call it a paranormal experience.
Another psychological trait that may lead to the experience of ghosts is pareidolia. We often come across a moment when we find the silhouette of a face on the cloud. Many people see different structures in bushes. The condition which leads to such illusions is known as pareidolia. Due to already established beliefs, people are likely to see ghosts when there is no such spooky thing.
More on Psychological Upheavals:
Along with these two, there is intentionality bias. It is another interesting twist of human psychology. We human beings often conceptualize someone else as the driving force of activity. The activity may happen naturally. But, we often end up thinking that somebody else has done it. Whether it is the movement of bushes by the wind or the fall of the water bottle, it may feel spooky in this way.
Why Do People Believe in Ghosts – Other Reasons:
Influence from Others:
Do you believe in ghosts? Then you are likely to be influenced by other believers’ opinions. For example, suppose you come to know from a person that a place of haunted. Now, when you visit the place, you tend to see events as paranormal activities. Whether ghosts exist or not is not a question here. But, your experience of seeking ghosts is influenced by pre-consumed information.
Paranormal Narratives:
Want to know why people believe in ghosts? Think about the moments when you listen, read or watch ghost stories. How do you feel then? Definitely, it feels like ghosts are real. So, that is how the belief comes. When our minds are fed with such spooky narratives, we tend to easily believe in ghosts’ existence.
After watching a horror film, we often get scared even to look back or go to another room. Even if you are a non-believer, for that moment, you believe in the spooky existence.
The Concept of Life after Death:
We love our near and dear ones. And therefore, we cannot afford to lose them. Even after their death, we are likely to believe that they are around us. The theories of spirit and its immortality are well-known. With this concept, the paranormal experiences come. People tend to think that immortal spirits have all the superpowers to haunt the world.
Lots of theories are found favoring the concept of life after death. Christians believe that after death, they have to face God. After measuring the good and bad deeds throughout their lives, their destination is decided. It can be hell if bad deeds overpower the good ones and it can be heaven for the opposite case.
According to Hinduism, humans are in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The cycle is known as samsara. It is believed that if an individual attains ‘moksha’ or the ultimate bliss, the cycle ends. No rebirth will take place after that life is over.
However, before rebirth, the ‘Atma’ or the soul remains free. Three things can happen to it. It may be sent to ‘swarga’ or heaven if it has done adequate good deeds. It stays there, enjoying heavenly pleasure until the time of rebirth arrives. Otherwise, hell is there to punish it before it takes rebirth.
Another way is the most interesting one. Do not get scared! When an untimely death takes place, it is said that the soul cannot leave the boundaries of the mortal world. And therefore, it roams around the world as a ghost.
The Tendency to Enjoy Eerie Emotion:
As a human being, an array of emotions can reside in your mind. Among them, the spooky sensation is a prominent one. Although we get scared, we love to enjoy that eerie feeling. Those spine-chilling moments give us pleasure. It is the reason why many people believe in ghosts. All of the ghost stories, movies, and series are made based on this fact.
Final Thoughts – Who is Behind You:
If we ask you do you believe in ghosts, what will you say? If you believe in ghosts, you will come up with a detailed explanation of your experience. But when it comes to finding out the reason behind that belief, there is no strict answer. So, why do people believe in ghosts? It is hard to explain the sensation of ghostly presence by reason.
Still, we have strived to give you a detailed study of the reasons behind people’s experience of ghosts. We hope it has enriched your knowledge. Hit the comment section and let us know how you enjoyed it.
-by Ishita Mondal
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