Introduction to Parapsychology

Psychology

A foundational overview of parapsychology as a field of study, focusing on historical terminology, methodology, and key concepts.

parapsychology pseudoscience scientific-method history

12 Questions Medium Ages 15+ Jul 27, 2026

Practice Test PDF Answer Key PDF

Choose a Study Format

Quiz

Test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions and instant feedback.

Flashcards

Flip through cards to review terms, definitions and key concepts.

True or False

Quickly decide if statements are true or false to reinforce understanding.

Match Game

Race against time to match questions with their correct answers.

Study Guide

Read through all topics and answers as a comprehensive study reference.

Listen Mode

Listen to questions and answers read aloud — great for audio learners on the go.

Embed This Study Set

Add this interactive study set to your website or blog — all 6 formats included.

<div data-quixly-id="4776"></div>
<script src="https://www.quixlylearn.com/assets/embed/widget.js"></script>

Learn more about embedding →

About this Study Set

This study set covers Psychology through 12 practice questions. A foundational overview of parapsychology as a field of study, focusing on historical terminology, methodology, and key concepts. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.

Questions & Answers

Browse all 12 questions from the Introduction to Parapsychology study set below. Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.

1 Which term is used in parapsychology to describe the alleged ability to acquire information about an object or person without the use of known sensory channels?

A Psychokinesis
B Extrasensory perception
C Apparitional experience
D Precognition

2 What is the primary reason the scientific community generally classifies parapsychology as a pseudoscience?

A The lack of reproducible results under controlled laboratory conditions
B It is purely a branch of theology
C The research is prohibited by international law
D It focuses exclusively on computer simulations

3 Who is often credited with helping to bring the study of psychical research into American academia by founding the Harvard Laboratory for Psychical Research?

A William James
B Sigmund Freud
C B.F. Skinner
D Carl Jung

4 In parapsychological research, what does the term 'Ganzfeld effect' refer to?

A A technique used to detect fraud in mediumship
B A sensory deprivation procedure used to test for telepathy
C A statistical method for calculating probability
D A device for measuring electromagnetic fluctuations

5 What is the definition of 'psychokinesis' (PK) within the study of parapsychology?

A The ability to communicate with the deceased
B The direct influence of mind on a physical system without physical energy
C The perception of future events before they occur
D The involuntary movement of objects during sleep

6 Which professional organization was established in 1957 to advance the scientific study of psychic phenomena?

A The American Psychological Association
B The Parapsychological Association
C The Society for Psychical Research
D The Institute for Noetic Sciences

7 What is the 'file drawer effect' in the context of parapsychology research?

A The storage of physical evidence in secure locations
B The tendency for researchers to only publish positive results while hiding negative ones
C A method for organizing historical documents
D The systematic cataloging of eyewitness accounts

8 The study of 'near-death experiences' (NDEs) is often categorized under parapsychology; what does the term 'out-of-body experience' (OBE) typically imply?

A The sensation of drifting outside one's physical body
B The loss of motor control during a seizure
C The ability to project thoughts into another person's mind
D The clinical death of a patient followed by resuscitation

9 In statistical parapsychology, what does 'p-value' typically represent when evaluating claims of psychic phenomena?

A The distance between two participants
B The probability that the observed results occurred by chance
C The speed at which a psychic process occurs
D The number of participants in the study

10 Which famous stage magician and skeptic was known for debunking many claims made by self-proclaimed psychics in the 20th century?

A Harry Houdini
B David Copperfield
C Penn Jillette
D Derren Brown

11 What is 'precognition' in the field of parapsychology?

A The knowledge of an event that has already occurred
B The awareness of a future event that could not be deduced by normal means
C The ability to read past lives
D The physical healing of wounds by touch

12 What is the objective of the 'Zener cards' used in early experimental parapsychology?

A To test for visual acuity
B To measure reaction time
C To conduct controlled testing of extrasensory perception
D To identify cognitive biases in memory

📱

Study on the go

Download Quixly and access all study formats on your phone — anywhere, anytime.