Common perceived personality traits amongst paranormals

Abstract

Parapsychologists have long been interested in discovering why some persons report paranormal experiences more than others. One possible approach that could be adopted in discovering such differences involves exploring the relationship between paranormal capabilities and personality traits. In investigating such a possible relationship, paranormal experiences have been associated with certain personality traits, a few being extraversion, fantasy proneness, creativity and thin boundaries of the mind. However research in the field of personality traits has produced conflicting results. The main aim of this present research is to explore common perceived personality traits amongst paranormals. This is made possible by the use of semi-structured interviews with five persons claiming the possession of paranormal capabilities. Findings in this research support previous investigations proposing a possible relationship between paranormality and traits such as extraversion, creativity, imagination and empathy. However other personality aspects had produced mixed evidence and other variables will be taken into account in discussing such findings.