INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE

The untold account of the countless Americans who believe in, or personally experience, phenomena such as ghosts, Bigfoot, UFOs and

Given the popularity of television shows such as Finding Bigfoot, Ghost Hunters, , and American Horror Story, there seems to be an insatiable public hunger for mystical happenings. But who believes in the paranormal? Based on extensive research and their own unique personal experiences, Christopher Bader, Joseph Baker and Carson Mencken reveal that a signifi cant number of Americans hold these beliefs, and that for better or worse, we undoubtedly live in a paranormal America.

Readers will join the authors as they participate in and palm readings, and have their auras photographed, join a Bigfoot hunt, follow a group of celebrity ghost hunters as they investigate claims of a haunted classroom, and visit a support group for alien abductees.

The second edition includes new and updated research based on fi ndings from the Baylor Religion survey regarding America’s relationship with the paranormal. Drawing on these diverse and compelling sources of data, the book offers an engaging account of the social, personal, and statistical stories of American paranormal beliefs and experiences. It examines topics such as the popularity of paranormal beliefs in the United States, the ways in which these beliefs relate to each other, whether paranormal beliefs will give rise to a new religion, and how believers in the paranormal differ from “average” Americans.

Brimming with fascinating anecdotes and provocative new fi ndings, Paranormal America offers an entertaining yet authoritative examination of a growing segment of

304 PAGES • PAPER American religious culture. APRIL 2017 • 978-1-4798-1528-9

WWW . NYUPRESS . ORG NYU PRESS 2 CHAPTER ONE THE INTERRUPTED LECTURE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS with anoverviewandoutlineofeachchapterthebook. attempting tojudgetheobjective“truth”ofsaidclaims.Thechapterconcludes claimsandthepeoplewhomakethemwithoutinvolves understandingparanormal whichauthors outlineaculturalandsociologicalperspectivetoparanormalism, little understandingofthepeoplewhoclaimsuchbeliefsandexperiences.The beliefs andexperiencesintheUnitedStates,notingthatsocialscientistsoftenhave paranormal of ubiquity the discusses chapter the trends, general to story specific reported byaprofessor andcollegestudentsduringaclass.Movingfrom the involvement inaghosthuntundertakentoinvestigatehauntingexperience This chapterprovides an introduction tothebook,beginningwithleadauthor’s SUMMARY 2. 1. both popularculture andacademia? How doesitdiffer from commonin otherperspectivesontheparanormal How dotheauthorsdescribetheirperspectiveonstudyingparanormal? Why hasthischangeoccurred? How hastheprevalencemediachangedovertime? ofparanormal-themed THE INTERRUPTEDLECTURE CHAPTER ONE: NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 3 CHAPTER TWO THE TRUTH IS WITHIN CHAPTER TWO: CHAPTER THE TRUTH IS WITHIN TRUTH THE What do the three ghost stories from Auxerre, France, New York City, City, New York France, Auxerre, ghost stories from What do the three is the story of how particular, illustrate? In and Seattle, Washington John Edmonds informative as about how the paranormal is perceived unconventional? important today? Who was ? Why is he How do the authors define the “paranormal”? studies of the ones that have been used in previous from different How is their definition paranormal? between conventional What do the authors theorize about the relationship and the paranormal? religion “psychic fairs” like a “spiritual cafeteria”? What does this tell us How are about the way people may combine paranormal beliefs and interests? of Americans believe in psychics, , What percentage dreams? communicating with the dead, and prophetic between “enlightenment” and “discovery” some differences What are definition new the to related distinction this is How paranormalism? of types by the authors? of the paranormal proposed 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. PARANORMAL AMERICA, SECOND EDITION PARANORMAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS SUMMARY about UFOs, astrology, to beliefs array of termsPeople use an astounding to refer psychic phenomena, ghosts, and the like. Chapter 2 tackles the difficult issue of defining the paranormal religion. and both The distinguishing science it and from that fall under the broader two distinct types of beliefs chapter further outlines focused on beliefs and experiences are rubric of the paranormal. First, there a sense of internal,personal enlightenment: spiritual exploration and growth. involved in the paranormalSecond, others become as a form they of discovery; currently not phenomenon a of existence the for evidence compelling find to hope ghosts, Bigfoot, or UFOs. This chapter by institutional science, such as recognized provides a qualitative description of a psychic fair, in one easy shopping experience. The a wide array of paranormal “products” where people can sample documenting levels of national surveys recent data from chapter also presents public. American the among dead the with communication and astrology in belief 4 CHAPTER THREE THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS experiencers. chapter concludeswithadetaileddemographicportraitsoftypicalparanormal about asupportgroup forpeoplebelieve they havebeenabductedbyaliens.The paranormal beliefs, as illustrated through ethnographic field work and survey data it isalsoclearthatthemarginalization hypothesis isnotacompleteexplanationfor income whitemalesthepredominantphenomenon.But believersinaparanormal cases are Americansociety’s mostprivilegeddemographicofhighlyeducated,high- disempowered socialstatusesare moreInno likelytobelieveintheparanormal. data partiallysupportamarginalization thesis: thatpeopleoccupyingrelatively characteristics suchasgender, race,education,age,andmaritalstatus.These examining howsuchbeliefsandexperiencesvaryacross socialanddemographic by of paranormalism abduction. The chapter also details some of the patterns how theyhaveevolvedovertimeintoexperiencesofandfolklore aboutalien thechapterexploresparanormal, anexampleindepth:beliefsabout UFOs and rarely goesbeyondthe anecdotal andsensational.To aidinunderstanding the about thepeoplewhobelieveinorclaimtohaveexperiencedparanormal experiences.Unfortunately, beliefsorhaveparanormal paranormal information Chapter 3criticallyaddresses commonstereotypes aboutpeoplewhohold SUMMARY 4. 3. 2. 1. o d te uhr rsod o h qeto o wehr paranormal whether of question the believers are “crazy?” to respond authors the do How activities thatverge onbeing“newreligious movements?” What does this example tell us about participation inInternational? Who wasmostlikelytobeamemberofthe UFOContactCenter marginalization hypothesisdoesnotadequatelyexplainparanormalism? analyses supportthehypothesis?Whatare someexampleswhere the beliefsandexperiences?Inwhatwaysdostatisticalof paranormal What doesthe“marginalization hypothesis”propose regarding patterns some ofthegeneralthemesfoundinnarrativesUFOabduction? How havestoriesaboutUFOencounterschangedovertime?Whatare THE TRUTHISOUTTHERE CHAPTER THREE: NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 5 CHAPTER FOUR THE THRILL OF THE HAUNT CHAPTER FOUR: CHAPTER THE THRILL OF THE HAUNT OF THE THRILL THE What are some of the similarities and differences between the ghost the ghost between differences some of the similarities and What are and Tennessee? California, Texas, described from hunting groups different across primary themes shared What do the authors identify as groups? experiences, and media consumption ghost beliefs, to related age is How changing about indicate this does What public? American the among of Americans? generations recent across patterns and spirituality of religion 1. 2. 3. PARANORMAL AMERICA, SECOND EDITION PARANORMAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS SUMMARY comparative providing on ghost beliefs and experiences, Chapter 4 focuses as well as U.S., the in groups ghost hunting of different accounts ethnographic analyses of patterns and media consumption among of ghost beliefs, experiences, ghost with a team of celebrity classroom return to the haunted the public. We on overnight pay visit to a to investigate the occurrence, hunters who attempt dowsing using about learn and warlock, self-identified a by run shop coffee haunted then discusses cultural themes communication. The chapter as a means of spirit identified through these comparative examples, such as the use of technology, about death, and personal narratives of hauntings. The magical rites, folklore much more ghost beliefs and experiences are chapter concludes by showing that of Americans. common among younger generations 6 CHAPTER FIVE ROUND TRIP TO HELL IN A FLYING SAUCER? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS be bestdescribedascurvilinear. religiosity relateshowingthat,ingeneral,therelationship toparanormalism, can of differentaspects how identify analyses Statistical question. in paranormal) and connections betweenthesespheres dependingonthetypeofbeliefs(bothreligious between conventionalreligionThere andparanormalism. canbedifferent ideas. Acareful, nuancedapproach isnecessarytounderstandtherelationship groups intheUnitedStatesare themostandleastreceptive toparanormal building uponprevious research, whichreligious wedetermine traditions and ratherthanthroughandencyclicals.Usingsurveys and theInternet sermons periphery ofAmericanreligion, andspreading through conferences, themedia, and organization thatcharacterize successfulreligious groups, operating on the intoaneclecticsyncretism.generallylacksthestabilityparanormal Paranormalism Laura Cyr, aUFOcontacteewhocombinesmultiplereligious traditionsandthe of George Adamski,a UFO contaceeandwould-bereligious prophet, and in organized religion beginning withthestories and thoseoftheparanormal, This chapterexploresbeliefsavailable the connectionbetweensupernatural SUMMARY ROUND TRIPTOHELLINAFLYING SAUCER? 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. and how does it inform the revised definition of the paranormal from paranormal the of Chapter 2? definition revised the inform it does how and conventional religiosityWhatcauses thisrelationship andparanormalism? In general, what is the best way to describe the relationship between How dosomefundamentalistreligious groups understandtheparanormal? beliefs? paranormal circumstances willpeople“diversifytheirportfolios”ofreligious and How are religious beliefslikeeconomicinvestments?Underwhat with thealiens?HowwouldyoucharacterizeLaura’s religious views? How doesLauraviewhercontactwithaliens?Whatshereport doing Who wasGeorge Adamski?Whatkindofphilosophydidheespouse? CHAPTER FIVE: NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 7 CHAPTER SIX PARANORMAL SUBCULTURES CHAPTER SIX: CHAPTER PARANORMAL SUBCULTURES PARANORMAL What are the five dimensions religionof outlined applicable to studying the How is this model typology of religiosity? by Glock Stark’s and paranormal? How has to Bigfoot ? of the most famous stories related some What are in popular culture? Sasquatch been represented likely to become invested in some of the patterns is more What are of who the paranormal? researching scientific-sounding argot? use Why do some paranormal researchers Bigfoot Conservancy approach Ape How does the North American Wood pursuit and practices? frame their hunting? How does the group 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. CAPITAL OF THE WORLD CAPITAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS SUMMARY in the interested most deeply the people who are This chapter discusses paranormal. small part of life. For others, For most, the paranormal is a relatively a paranormal topic (if not the paranormal interest, in general) becomes an intense of the world The chapter explores and for some, even an obsession. a hobby, people who devote themselves to paranormal contextualized by These data are and researchers. data on paranormal “quests” research by examining survey in Washington paranormal conferences descriptions of two different ethnographic American North the of practices hunting Sasquatch the as well as Texas, and State Ape Conservancy. Wood 8 CHAPTER SEVEN PARANORMAL PEOPLE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS to express interests theirparanormal more widely. phenomena. Thosewholive generally unconventionallivesare comparativelyfree fewer to interests those confine to tend will interests paranormal their of outside strongly related tostakesinconformity. Peoplewholiveveryconventionallives theory, beliefsis thechapterexamineshowholdingadiverseset ofparanormal haunted house and has had a UFO abduction.Applying Hirschi’s socialcontrol phenomena—suchasaBigfootwitnesswhobelievesshelivesin paranormal believinginandsometimesexperiencingamultitudeofdifferentparanormalists, forests havenopatiencefor claimsofUFOsorghoststories.Otherpeopleare true are convinced of the reality of an undiscovered primate lurking in North American express great skepticismaboutothers.Forexample,manyBigfootenthusiastswho enthusiastsaremaintained. Someparanormal passionateaboutonesubject,but beliefsareThis chapterdiscussesthediversityofstylesinwhichparanormal SUMMARY 3. 2. 1. bond tothesocialorder related toparanormalism? How are and paranormalism? the differentin conformity elements of the What areistherelationship “stakesinconformity?” betweenstakes approach paranormalism? some ofthedifferences particularistsandgeneralists inhowparanormal Describe Laura’s andDavid’s different belief.Whatare styles ofparanormal perceived culturaldevianceofparanormalism? relativedoes thistellusaboutlevelsofbeliefintheparanormal to What percentage belief? What of Americans hold at least one paranormal PARANORMAL PEOPLE CHAPTER SEVEN: NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 9 CHAPTER EIGHT DARKNESS AND LIGHT - CHAPTER EIGHT: CHAPTER DARKNESS AND LIGHT AND DARKNESS How are views of religious evil informative for understanding broader moral moral evil informativefor understanding broader views of religious How are worldviews? patterns of belief in super the sociodemographic and religious What are natural religious evil? natural religious What is a moral panic? How is the concept applicable to the Salem Witch Panic?” and the “Satanic Trials issue of the Who is Paul Ingram? What does his story say about the broader in the 1980s and 90s? Satanic Panic that occurred experiences in the U.S.? What are intensive religious How common are some of the patterns of claiming such experiences? claims of angelic intervention experiences? What are How common are the narratives some of the primary themes in such narratives? How are “flexible?” between belief in supernatural evil and What is the relationship religious experiences? claiming intensive religious 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. PARANORMAL AMERICA, SECOND EDITION PARANORMAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS SUMMARY yet Christianity, to closely connected are that beliefs and experiences This chapter explores demons. and Satan involving those as such settings, Christian many in accepted fully not the in occurred moral panics, as into widespread coalesce about evil beliefs Sometimes the country that their therapists across from reports began to receive 1980s when the FBI by secretive, of hideous ritual abuse perpetrated memories patients had “recovered” underground cults of Satanists. We profile and interview Paul Ingram, who was accused cult. Satanic underground of being the ringleader of a secretive, and criminally convicted of supernaturalConversely to claims claims to speak in tongues, experience evil, who angels? And how does harm by guardian saved from miraculous healings, and have been this relate to belief in religious evil? While guardian angel experiences are flexible and much more experiences are social categories, other intensive religious occurs across likely to believe more levels of income, who are lower with common among individuals sophisticated Further, by religion. in intensive forms and light offered of both darkness experiences and believing in the power religious data analyses show that claiming intense of paranormal to higher levels experiences—particularly of supernatural related evil are an group—providing religious organized connections to an for those without strong and the paranormal. and religion important piece of the puzzle linking and the paranormal. between religion cultural borderland the angelology represent 10 CHAPTER NINE OUT ON A LIMB DISCUSSION QUESTIONS likely trendsbeliefsandexperiences. inparanormal which religious groups are facing growth or decline, the book ends by predicting regard. Analyzingdataonwhichsocietalgroups are growing andreceding, and the future?provide Dataonthedemographics ofparanormalism akeytoolinthis to answer the question: What will happen to paranormal beliefs and experiences in Perry, then Datus of findings main the of some summarizes enthusiast ofBigfoot thestory with begins chapter final The SUMMARY 2. 1. What dotheauthorspredict forfutureintheU.S.? levelsofparanormalism first authorspenttimewithPerryinthe1980s? intheU.S.changedsince Who isDatusPerry?Howhasparanormalism OUT ONALIMB CHAPTER NINE: Paranormal America,beforeParanormal attempting NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 11 TEST BANK QUESTIONS TEST BANK QUESTIONS BANK TEST PARANORMAL AMERICA, SECOND EDITION PARANORMAL Chapter 3 tells the story of Betty and Barney Hill, as well as Budd Barneyand Chapter 3 tells the story of Betty Budd as well Hill, as Hopkins, people who claim to have: of chupacabra feasting on A) Seen a horde B) Had a face-to-face encounter with Bigfoot C) Been possessed by demons D) Been abducted by aliens lives as rulers in the Middle East E) Lived previous A) A fundamentalist religious group group A) A fundamentalist religious B) A “spiritual cafeteria” for powerful organizations of directors C) The views of people who sit on a board delusional disorders from D) The views of people who suffer abuse E) The views of those swept up in moral panics about Satanic ritual In Chapter 2, the authors visit a psychic fair in California. In describing a psychic fair in California.In Chapter 2, the authors visit In describing to: there the beliefs offered the scene, they compare A) Factual vs. hoaxed B) Scientific vs. pseudo-scientific C) Purposive vs. spontaneous D) Enlightenment vs. discovery vs. disorganized E) Organized Which of the following is a conceptual distinction made between distinction made between is a conceptual the following of Which types of paranormal beliefs and experiences? different A) True A) True B) False Chapter 1 ends with the authors of the book experience traumatic and experience traumatic and with the authors of the book Chapter 1 ends frightening ghost encounters. A) The argument is made that certain paranormal phenomena are real that certain paranormal is made are phenomena A) The argument exist that no paranormal is made really phenomena B) The argument of paranormal phenomena is that the objective reality is made C) The argument of the study to the purposes irrelevant Which of the following best represents the perspective taken in the the taken in the perspective best represents the following Which of of the paranormal?book on the existence 12 TEST BANK QUESTIONS E) RoundTrip toHell inaFlyingSaucer? D) Ghosts:FactorFiction? C) IrrationalBeliefsandReal Experiences B) StoptheMadness! A) CelebritiesandtheParanormal the paranormal? What isthetitleofChapter5,whichnamed afterafamousbookon E) Theuseofbeliefsandsymbolsborrowed from establishedreligious traditions D) Theuseofnarrativesaboutuntimelydeaths(a.k.a. “deathlore”) evidence ofghosts C) Theuseoftechnologytogeneratelarge amountsofdata,whichare read as B) Therole ofpsychicprojections inreported ghostexperiences A) Theuseofritualsforconjuringorprotection groups wediscussedin class? Which of the following is not one of the themes of ghost hunting E) Income,withpoorpeoplemore likelytobelieve D) Intelligence,withpeopleoflowerIQmore likelytobelieve C) Church attendance,withhighattendersmore likelytobelieve B) Politicalidentity, withconservativesmore likelytobelieve A) Age,withyoungerpeoplebeingmore likelytobelieve The strongest predictor ofbeliefinghostsis: B) Men A) Women astrology, andthe“New Age,” whoismore likelytobelieve? Regarding beliefs such as psychics, “enlightenment” paranormal E) Alloftheabove D) Demonpossession C) PeoplewhoseenBigfoot B) Alienabduction A) Satanicritualabuse group for what? asupport of asurvey from findings reports 3 Chapter In TEST BANKQUESTIONS NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 13 TEST BANK QUESTIONS TEST BANK QUESTIONS BANK TEST PARANORMAL AMERICA, SECOND EDITION PARANORMAL A) Higher B) Lower C) The same Overall, Evangelical Protestants tend to have ______levels of to have ______levels of tend Overall, Evangelical Protestants groups. paranormal to members of other religious belief compared A) An atheist B) An agnostic C) A person who is moderately religious D) A committed Catholic E) A fundamentalist Protestant Which of the following people is most likely to have high levels of is most likely to have high levels of Which of the following people paranormal belief? A) Never B) Once a month C) Every week D) Multiple times a week The highest level of paranormal belief and experience occur among The highest level of paranormal among belief and experience occur services: Americans who attend religious A) Laura, a woman who claims to have been abroad a spaceship a spaceship have been abroad A) Laura, a woman who claims to to ghosts a man who talks regularly B) Stanley, “wormholes” travels through C) Jon, a man who asserts that Bigfoot of cryptids D) Nick, a man who believes in a variety for clients woman who talks to dead relatives a E) Meredith, Chapter 5 contains multiple drawings done by: multiple drawings done Chapter 5 contains Chapter 5 begins with which of the following stories? which of the 5 begins with Chapter life in a previous who claimed she was Bathsheba an actress A) Shirley MacLaine, an astrologer consultations with regular B) Nancy Reagan’s he shot down a UFO British military pilot who claimed C) Kyle Dunlap, a a UFO who claimed he met Jesus on Adamski, a “contactee” D) George asylum for his belief in demons a man committed to an E) Chauncey Gardner, 14 TEST BANK QUESTIONS E) Indifference toward thosewhoholddifferent views ofthecreature D) Strong dislikeofanyonewhoholdsdifferent viewsofBigfoot C) PublicsupportformultipleviewsofBigfoot Bigfootbelievers’ ideas B) Quietsupportofsupernatural A) Strong comraderyovertheirmutualbeliefinthecreature different beliefsaboutBigfoot? North AmericanWood ApeConservancygroup toward thosewhohold Which of the following best represents the feelings of members of the E) Themethodsofwildlifebiologists D) Arguments aboutBigfootconsistentwithbeliefinghosts C) Thelanguageofscience B) Arguments aboutenvironmental conservation A) Double-blind,scientifictests In order togainlegitimacy, manyBigfoothuntersuse: E) Thehuntersfoundnoevidencetheydeemedrelevant genetics lab D) One the hunters found hair he believedwasfrom Bigfoot and sentit to a C) Thehuntersfoundatrackandmadecast B) Motioncamerascaptured apicture ofwhatthehuntersbelievewasBigfoot A) OneofthehunterssawBigfoot on inchapter6? Which ofthefollowinghappenedonBigfoothuntauthorswent E) Criminalgangs D) Religiousgroups C) Businessorganizations B) Familialrelationships A) Romanticrelationships participation developedtostudy: The beginningofchapter6introduces atypologyofsubculture TEST BANKQUESTIONS NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE 15 TEST BANK QUESTIONS TEST BANK QUESTIONS BANK TEST PARANORMAL AMERICA, SECOND EDITION PARANORMAL In Chapter 8 profiles the story of Paul Ingram, who: the story of Paul In Chapter 8 profiles as part of Satanic rituals A) Admitted sexually abusing his children of Satan and became a televangelist B) Left the Church of Satan C) Stopped being a televangelist and joined the Church Abuse Ritual Satanic extensive of evidence uncovered who officer police a Was D) in California to debunk claims of Satanic Ritual Abuse research E) Used social scientific A) Increase B) Decrease C) Stay the same On average, as “stakes in conformity” increase, paranormal beliefs paranormalOn average, as “stakes in conformity” beliefs increase, ______. All of the following are considered bonds to social order in control control in order social to bonds considered are following the of All theory except: A) Attachment B) Belief C) Commitment D) Restrictions E) Involvement A) Differential association vs. strain theory association vs. strain theory A) Differential B) Paranormal particularists vs. generalists C) “Normal” vs. pathological paranormalism paranormalD) Religious vs. secular paranormalistsE) Lifelong vs. convert “David” and “Laura” are profiled in order to illustrate which conceptual conceptual which illustrate to order in profiled are “Laura” and “David” distinction? 16 TEST BANK QUESTIONS E) Bemale D) Beyounger C) Beolder B) Havelowlevelsofeducationandincome A) Havehighlevelsofeducationandincome Americans whobelievestronglyevilare insupernatural more likelyto: TEST BANKQUESTIONS NYU PRESSINSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE