Self-Ascribed Paranormal Ability: Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2022 Kenneth Graham Drinkwater, Neil Dagnall, Stephen Walsh et al. 12 citations
People who claim to have paranormal abilities—such as psychic powers or mediumship—describe their experiences as deeply tied to their personal history, beliefs, and sense of self. In interviews with 12 participants, four main themes emerged: formative influences like gifted family members or unusual childhood events; subjective experiences of transcendence or extra-sensory perception; embodied processes, especially a sense of control; and perceptions of reality involving self-awareness and surreal experiences. Participants used autobiographical evidence to validate their abilities and often dismissed conventional explanations. The findings suggest that belief in paranormal ability is inseparable from how individuals interpret and make sense of their own experiences.