World’s largest Parapsychological Experiment to take place at Alton Towers

[natalie1975@rock.com]

I hope you don’t mind me posting this, its just that I’m involved in the ghost hunting experiment and don’t mind answering any questions about parapsychology?

Kind Regards

Natalie xxx

World’s largest Parapsychological Experiment to take place at Alton Towers

Fright Nights are hoping to break the Guinness World Records by staging the World's Biggest Ghost Hunt on 31 October from 7:00pm – 12:00pm. The ghost hunt, which is to be held at the Alton Towers gothic ruins, allegedly haunted by 15 different ghosts, is expected to attract more than 2,200 people.

Based on calculations from the experts at Fright Nights, they are confident they can beat the previous world record set in Scotland and bring the title back to England. In accordance with the rules set by the Guinness World Records, Fright Nights will conduct an in-depth scientific ghost hunting experiment which all attendees will be requested to take part in and record their experiences. The experiment will be conducted and adjudicated by Derby University’s Para-psychological unit.

The previous attempt at beating the ghost hunting world record was set by psychologist Richard Wiseman. In 2001, Wiseman led an experiment to test the reactions of more than 250 volunteers who were exposed to haunted locations in Edinburgh. As well as recording the reactions and feelings of the volunteers, a variety of sensors were deployed which included a magnetometer, thermal imager, air temperature, movement sensors and a light meter, as well as photographic and video cameras. It was Wiseman’s investigation that set the rules for all future attempts at beating the Guinness World Records.

Fright Nights will be using similar ghost hunting equipment as used in Wiseman’s investigation. The Hex ride, will be cordoned off for the experiment, however in order to increase the chance of experiencing the paranormal, the public will be allowed to explore the haunted Gothic ruins at their own leisure. In various rooms some of the UK’s top mediums and clairvoyants will hold mini-ghost vigils enabling those that attend to learn psychic skills.

Fright Nights will be sending over 20 mediums and clairvoyants to take part in the experiment whilst a number of celebrity TV mediums will also be in attendance. Part of the activities will include a large Psychic Fair which has attracted some of the best paranormal related stalls in the UK.

Fright Nights are no strangers in organising ghost hunts. In 2004 they organised the first "Worlds Biggest Ghost Hunt" which was televised in the States and on Living TV which was watched by more than 4 million viewers in the UK alone. For the last 7 years, the company has been arranging ghost themed events which are held regularly at haunted venues across the UK including the ruins at Alton Towers and at the famously haunted Warwick Castle.

For details visit: http://www.frightnights.co.uk

Please note: No rides will be open, this is a ghost hunt only.

[tkingdoll]

Hi Natalie, welcome to the forum.

Despite it being an obvious plug for your event , your post is interesting.

You might want to reconsider having your email address as your username, though, you could get spambotted to death.

Couple of questions from me about parapsychology:

1) Do you consider parapsychology to be a real science?
2) Do you, personally, believe in the existence of ghosts, and how does your belief/non belief affect your research?
3) "In various rooms some of the UK’s top mediums and clairvoyants will hold mini-ghost vigils enabling those that attend to learn psychic skills." - how are you defining and measuring 'psychic skills'?
4) Are you expecting to find conclusive evidence of the existence of ghosts?


I think that's it for now, hope that's OK!

TK

[tkingdoll]

Hmm, no reply yet...

*starts taking bets*

[Mojo]

Maybe we can supply some answers ourselves.

3) "In various rooms some of the UK’s top mediums and clairvoyants will hold mini-ghost vigils enabling those that attend to learn psychic skills." - how are you defining and measuring 'psychic skills'?

Cold reading, hot reading, prevarication, and never taking a personal cheque.

[natalie1975@rock.com]

Hi Guys

Here's some answers to your questions! Looks like you thought I wouldn't reply.

1) Do you consider parapsychology to be a real science?
Parapsychology is a sub-section of psychology and therefore should be treated with the same scientific strictness as psychology. The unit involved in this experiment is not a "parapsychological" unit, but the Centre for Human Behaviour. The idea is that we'll be able to see if the environmental changes in each room or area affects members of the public in a way which they consider "paranormal"

2) Do you, personally, believe in the existence of ghosts, and how does your belief/non belief affect your research?
My beliefs or disbeliefs in the subject do not matter to this experiment since I am neither the team leader or head of department of the University based unit or experiment. My job is purely of marshalling on the day.

3) "In various rooms some of the UK’s top mediums and clairvoyants will hold mini-ghost vigils enabling those that attend to learn psychic skills." - how are you defining and measuring 'psychic skills'?

This is a part of the Fright Nights side of the event and not the scientific experiment, I cannot comment on what Fright Nights are doing in the way of the event. They have totally allowed us to run our experiment to the same standards set by Professor Richard Wiseman's experiment from 2004.

4) Are you expecting to find conclusive evidence of the existence of ghosts?
We are hoping for evidence of human behaviour in relation to various areas within the test area, not to prove or disprove the existance of ghosts.

Hope this helps,

Nat xxx

[tkingdoll]

Natalie, thank you :)

Yes, I confess I didn't expect you to reply, I thought maybe you were just plugging your event, but I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.