Physics of the Paranormal
Scientists announce initial results of large-scale ghost investigation
Today, Professor Richard Wiseman (University of Hertfordshire) announces the initial results of a large-scale scientific investigation into ‘Mary King’s Close’ - a series of allegedly haunted streets and houses under Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The study, carried out as part of Einstein Year, examined why visitors to the Close often experience unusual phenomena and involved 200 members of the public, a team of researchers from four academic institutions and sophisticated environmental monitoring equipment.
During the experiment, forty groups of five people were taken to one of four locations in the Close, and were asked to report any unusual phenomena they experienced. Participants were unaware that only two of the locations had a strong reputation for being haunted.
Unusual experiences
Approximately 70% of people visiting the ‘haunted’ locations reported experiencing some type of unusual phenomena, compared to only 48% of those in the two ‘control’ locations. Although some of the reported experiences were relatively mild (e.g., a sudden feeling of cold), many were more significant, with participants reporting a sense of being watched, touched, having their clothing tugged, seeing apparitions of humans and animals, and hearing footsteps.
Over 80% of people reported a strange experience at the most ‘haunted’ location (an area at the bottom in the Close associated with a sinister looking apparition of a figure dressed in black), compared to just 50% of those visiting the least active ‘control’ location (the base of a dark stairwell not associated with any apparitions).
There was a large difference between the sexes, with 75% of women reported unusual experiences compared to just 54% of men. Amazingly, 92% of women taken to the most ‘haunted’ location reported at least one unusual experience.
Possible explanations
“These fascinating findings show that people do indeed have unusual and surprisingly consistent experiences in certain areas of Mary King’s Close”, commented Professor Wiseman. “Although some people may view the results as evidence for ghosts, our findings suggest that participants’ expectations, combined with subtle differences in the appearance and physical characteristics of the locations, may affect how anxious people feel when they enter the spaces and this may create unusual sensations”.
Before participating, people were asked whether they expected to experience some unusual phenomena during the study. 70% of those with high expectations reported unusual experiences, compared to just 50% of those who entered the experiment with low expectations.
The researchers recorded humidity at all four sites for over a month prior to the study, and discovered that the two ‘haunted’ locations were significantly less humid than the control sites (approximately 60% versus 70%). “Our skin relies on the air to get rid of moisture. If people walk into an area of relatively low humidity, they can feel much cooler because their sweat evaporates more easily”, explained Professor Wiseman.
An online experiment, conducted as part of the study, revealed that photographs of the ‘haunted’ sites were rated as significantly more ‘ghostly’ and sinister than the control sites – suggesting that some subtle visual features (e.g., shape, lighting, presence of doorways) of the haunted locations may elicit a sense of fear that, in turn, creates unusual sensations.
Vic Tandy (Coventry University) also examined the Close for ‘infrasound’ – very low frequency sound that causes some people to experience sensations which they may interpret as paranormal – and discovered that the two areas identified as the most ‘haunted’ have infrasound levels approximately 20dB higher than surrounding areas. “ In one area there are peaks at frequencies of 13 and 17 Hz, in the other a very low frequency pulse was detected at 10Hz ”, remarked Tandy. “This is below normal human hearing, but may be enough to induce odd experiences in some people”.
“We are still a long way from solving all of the mysteries associated with the Close, but the study has helped provide a real insight that will help build on previous work examining the psychology and science of alleged haunting”, commented Professor Wiseman.
Karen Baron Marketing & PR Manager for Mary King's Close, remarked: “We find these results fascinating and they have shed a great deal of light on some of the unusual experiences reported in the Close – whatever the explanation, it is an amazing historic venue and we invite people to come and make up their own minds”.
The study was part of the Einstein Year and was supported by NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) through its Learning programme, which endeavours to find innovative ways of engaging the public in science.
Caitlin Watson, Einstein Year Programme Manager, commented “Einstein Year aims to highlight the role physics plays in our everyday lives as well as demonstrating some of its more creative applications. This study is a great example of how physics can appear when you least expect it and help us to find out more about our surroundings”
Katherine Mathieson, NESTA Learning Programme Manager, said: “One of NESTA’s chief aims is to engage the public’s appreciation of science, technology and the arts in new and imaginative ways. This fascinating study does just that by really bringing physics to life by attempting to link what most people believe to be superstition or legend to hard scientific fact.”
Contact information
Professor Richard Wiseman: Tel: 077 909 05219
Email: r.wiseman@herts.ac.uk.
Ruth Abrahams Tel: 0131 225 0670
(Venue manager, Mary King’s Close)
Joe Meaney Tel: 020 7645 9518
(Communications Manager, NESTA) Email:joe.meaney@nesta.org.uk
Caitlin Watson Tel: 020 7470 4814
(Einstein Year Programme Manager): Email: caitlin.watson@iop.org.
Image
Whilst standing in each area, participants were presented with images of four fictitious ‘ghostly’ faces, and were asked to select the face that best matched the apparition that had been reported in that area. There was a large amount of agreement between participants - for example, 44% of people associated the image of a middle-aged woman (Image B) with one of the ‘haunted’ areas.
Internet support
www.ghostexperiment.co.uk Further details about the experiment.
www.edinburghghostfest.co.uk Additional information on the festival.
www.channel4.com/ghost An interactive study accompanying the experiment.
www.nesta.org.uk Further details on NESTA support and initiatives
www.einsteinyear.org Further details about other Einstein Year activities
Notes to Editors:
The study took place between the 14 and 17 May, and formed the centre-piece of a new, ten day, festival exploring alleged paranormal phenomena around the city. The experimental team consisted of Professor Richard Wiseman (University of Hertfordshire), Dr Simon Sherwood (University College Northampton), Vic Tandy (Coventry University) and Dr Caroline Watt (Edinburgh University).
Mary King's Close is a strange dark, underground site, a time capsule of 4 closes with real town houses, streets and rooms that date back to 1600's. Character guides reveal the fascinating and emotional stories of human life connected to the site. Tours run every 20 mins 10am to 10pm.
Einstein Year is a year-long celebration of physics and its relevance to all our lives. Marking the centenary of Einstein’s three ground-breaking ideas it communicates the vital role physics plays in developing new technologies like cancer screening equipment and mobile phones, whilst addressing big questions such as how the Universe was created and how climate change can be tackled.
NESTA’s income initially came from the interest on an endowment of £200 million from National Lottery funds. In February 2003, NESTA received an additional £50 million bringing the endowment up to £250 million and an extra £45 million to use as revenue expenditure until 2006 (£15m a year from 2003). NESTA plans to spend over £20 million a year on UK creativity and innovation. Since May 2000, NESTA has spent over £40 million on more than 387 awards.
Released: 2005/05/20 12:25:58.156 GMT+1
