Sensing Spirits: Paranormal Investigation and the Social Construction of Ghosts

Description

Based on ethnographic research, this book examines the paranormal investigation subculture in the US. Presenting interviews with investigators as well as extensive field observations, it explores their reasons for getting involved, their use of different investigative methods, the interpretive processes by which they individually and collectively ‘sense’ spirits, the ways in which these processes are influenced by small group power dynamics, and what paranormal investigation ultimately means to those who participate. While focusing on the practices by which investigators ‘sense’ spirits in small groups, the author also situates paranormal investigation within a broader cultural context and attends to how investigators attempt to legitimize their practice despite being marginalized by both science and religion. A fascinating study of ghosts as an inherently social phenomenon, Sensing Spirits will appeal to sociologists with interests in ethnography, interactionism, cultural studies and subcultures. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction The popularity and marginalization of “the paranormal” Sociological examinations of the paranormal The practice of paranormal investigation Historical and cultural context Investigation styles The investigators and the teams Sensing spirits Notes References Chapter 1 Getting into the spirit Developing an interest in ghosts and hauntings Early-life sensory experiences Early-life extrasensory experiences Early-life enthusiasm Later-life interest Negotiating nomic contexts Affirming contexts Permissive contexts Suppressive contexts Mixed contexts Theoretical contributions References Chapter 2 Learning the “right” ways to sense spirits Exploration and transition to a team Conforming to the knowledge regime Science-dominant teams Integrated teams Sensitive-dominant teams Learning the “right” investigative techniques Internalizing the feeling rules Legitimizing the “paranormal investigator” identity Theoretical contributions References Chapter 3 Discerning evidence of spirits Interpretive work during paranormal investigations Somatic work Discernment work Techno-empiricist work The evidentiary value of debunking Theoretical contributions References Chapter 4 Empersoning spirits Distinguishing features of personhood Mindedness Distinctiveness Co-presence Empersoning as situated action Modes of empersoning in paranormal investigation Typified empersoning Identified empersoning Individualized empersoning Intimate empersoning Theoretical contributions Note References Chapter 5 Emplotting spirits Narrative development and the haunting of the Highwayman Inn Narrative priming Narrative emergence and contestation Narrative coalescence Narrative crystallization Theoretical contributions Notes References Chapter 6 Making sense of sensing spirits Paranormal investigation as pioneering science Paranormal investigation as spiritual practice Paranormal investigation as human service profession Theoretical contributions Note References The dead as social objects and actors References Methodological appendix Gaining entrée and making connections Demographic characteristics of paranormal investigators Data collection and analysis Ethical considerations Notes References Index