poltergeists

A poltergeist is a term used in folklore, parapsychology, and popular culture to describe a type of haunting characterized primarily by noisy, disruptive events rather than visible apparitions. The name derives from German, meaning “noisy ghost” (poltern = to make noise, Geist = ghost). In this tradition, the disturbances are typically centered on a single person, often an adolescent, who is thought to be the source of the activity rather than the cause being a traditional ghost.

Typical phenomena attributed to poltergeists include loud banging and footsteps, objects moving or being thrown, unexplained knocks or raps, and disturbances to electrical equipment. The events tend to be episodic andlocalized within a home or building, with no enduring physical trace of a supernatural occupier.

Historical and cultural context: The concept gained prominence in late 19th and 20th century parapsychology and has featured in many case reports and investigations. The well-known Enfield poltergeist case from the late 1970s in London brought widespread public attention, though subsequent reviews have disputed some claims and emphasized alternative explanations.

Explanations and status: In contemporary discussion, explanations fall into two broad camps. Some researchers propose a form of psychokinesis linked to a living person, typically a stressed or emotionally charged adolescent, manifesting as physical disturbances. Skeptics and many scientists attribute the phenomena to hoaxes, misperceptions, misattribution of ordinary events, or environmental factors such as structural noise, drafts, or electrical interference. Social-psychological dynamics, including suggestibility and attention, can also play a role.

Overall, poltergeist phenomena remain controversial and are not regarded as evidence of supernatural agency by the mainstream scientific community; most analyses advocate naturalistic explanations and careful investigation.