Plain English Summary
What is it like to believe you have psychic powers? This rare study interviewed 12 self-described mediums, psychics, and clairvoyants about how they make sense of their abilities. Four themes emerged: formative childhood experiences, personal transcendent encounters interpreted as ESP, a felt sense of control over their powers, and a distinctive perception of reality. The fascinating takeaway is that these individuals weave coherent narratives from these threads, creating a self-reinforcing loop where belief and experience keep validating each other. Rather than testing whether the abilities are real, the study offers a window into the lived experience of people convinced they are.
Abstract
This study investigated personal perceptions (involvements) and comprehensions (interpretations) of self-ascribed paranormal abilities. Twelve participants with supposed supernatural powers took part in semi-structured interviews exploring the origin, phenomenology, and nature of their powers. Interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), a qualitative method that identifies patterns within data. Four major themes expressed meanings and representations held by participants: Formative Influences (sub-themes: Gifted Family Members and Anomalous Occurrence), (Inter) Subjective Paranormal Experience (sub-themes: Transcendental/Mystic and Extra-Sensory Perception), Embodied Processes (sub-theme: Control), and Perception of Reality (two sub-themes: Self-Awareness and Fantastic/Surreal Perceptions). Consideration of themes identified an inextricable link between perception, interpretation, and belief in ability. Within narratives, interviewees outlined, contextualised, and established the validity of their powers. They drew upon supporting autobiographical evidence from their life histories and obfuscated and/or discounted conventional explanations. Generally, accounts reflected individual attempts to comprehend and justify the nature and experience of professed abilities. The authors discuss these processes and suggest ways to extend and develop ensuing research.
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📋 Cite this paper
Drinkwater, Kenneth Graham, Dagnall, Neil, Walsh, Stephen, Sproson, Lisa, Peverell, Matthew, Denovan, Andrew (2022). Self-Ascribed Paranormal Ability: Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.845283
@article{drinkwater_2022_self_ascribed_paranormal,
title = {Self-Ascribed Paranormal Ability: Reflexive Thematic Analysis},
author = {Drinkwater, Kenneth Graham and Dagnall, Neil and Walsh, Stephen and Sproson, Lisa and Peverell, Matthew and Denovan, Andrew},
year = {2022},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2022.845283},
}