Exploring the Engagement in Clairvoyant Readings; Attending To
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2018 Exploring the engagement in clairvoyant readings; attending to the lived experiences of patrons. A thesis submitted to the University of Wolverhampton for the Practitioner Doctorate: Counselling Psychology Award: Doctorate in Counselling Psychology Author: Sara Feeley Student Number: 1320640 “Imagine a world in which if you love someone enough, or need them enough, Your minds will communicate across the world wherever you are, regardless Of space and time. Imagine a world in which each of us has a special inner core – a ‘real self’’- That makes us who we are, that survives death, giving meaning to our otherwise Pointless lives” (Susan Blackmore, 2001 p.85 of Skeptical Odysseys). i Acknowledgements For my dad, John Feeley, who during this research had a brain tumour removed, which ironically was foretold during different clairvoyant readings, and which helped to put the pressure of writing this into perspective. I would like to thank Jayne from Wolverhampton Spiritualist Church, who accepted me into her church as a research psychologist and helped me recruit patrons to interview. I would like to express my gratitude to the open and honest women who took part in the interviews, as without them none of this would have been possible. I am eternally appreciative of their time and for sharing their deeply personal narratives. ii Abstract Recent research claims that clairvoyant readings are therapeutic (Beischel, Mosher & Boccuzzi, 2015; Nelson, 2013; Osborne & Bacon, 2015; Roxburgh, 2010; Sanger, 2009), as such it is possible that there are an unknown population seeking support through this alternative practice. An exploration of the lived experience of patrons of Clairvoyants was studied to ascertain whether the engagement is done so to meet a need, that may be more appropriately met in traditional therapeutic services. A Qualitative approach was adopted, Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Relational Phenomenological Analysis (RPA). Six participants were interviewed about their beliefs and engagement in clairvoyant readings. One main theme emerged; Clairvoyant readings as a way of managing loss, with four subthemes; Readings in place of Traditional support, Need for reassurance and proof of existence- to manage anxiety, The conflict of rational and emotional, Sense of belonging and connectedness. Readings with clairvoyants may potentially be harmful, despite patrons expressing benefits. Due to an unknown percentage of the population engaging in readings, it was found that additional research is needed in this area, as the phenomena appears to be underrepresented in Psychological empiricism. iii Table of contents Contents ...................................................................................................................................................... Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... ii Abstract .................................................................................................................................... iii Table of contents ....................................................................................................................... iv Research Aim ........................................................................................................................... vii Chapter One – Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1: Rationale for research ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2: Spiritualism and death ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Thesis structure ................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter Two- Literature Review ............................................................................................... 9 2.1 Positionality of this research within existing research ..................................................... 9 2.2 Mechanisms of Paranormal Belief; ................................................................................ 12 2.2.1 Connecting distantly related material ...................................................................... 12 2.2.0 Intuitive thinking ..................................................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Positive feedback loop ............................................................................................. 16 2.3 Psychological differences in Paranormal believers and non-believers .......................... 17 2.3.0 Cognitive differences ............................................................................................... 17 2.3.1 Neurobiological differences .................................................................................... 18 2.4 Paranormal beliefs as a pathology .................................................................................. 19 2.5 Adaptive functions of Paranormal beliefs ...................................................................... 21 2.5.0 Beliefs as a defence/coping mechanism .................................................................. 22 2.5.1 Bereavement; continuing bonds; ............................................................................. 24 2.5.2 Connectivity through shared beliefs; ....................................................................... 31 2.5.3 Externalisation of issues .......................................................................................... 33 2.5.4 Locus of control and life satisfaction ...................................................................... 34 2.5.5 Existential needs ...................................................................................................... 36 2.5.6 Clairvoyant readings asserted as therapy ................................................................. 37 2.6 Induced ADC in clinical settings; .................................................................................. 40 2.7 Critical review of cited literature ................................................................................... 41 Chapter Three – Methodology ................................................................................................. 45 3.1.0 Epistemological and ontological positioning of the research...................................... 45 iv 3.1.1 Positionality of the Researcher .................................................................................... 48 3.1.2 Research Design : Qualitative ..................................................................................... 48 3.1.2i Data Collection........................................................................................................... 55 3.1.2ii Development of interview questions......................................................................... 59 Table 3.1.2a; Interview questions ........................................................................................ 60 3.1.3 Procedure for data collection....................................................................................... 60 3.1.4 Sampling and Recruitment process ............................................................................. 62 3.1.3ii Data collection instruments ...................................................................................... 64 3.1.4i Participant Details ...................................................................................................... 64 Table 3.1.4a; Participants Synopsis...................................................................................... 64 3.1.5 Data analysis - (Relational phenomenological analysis) ............................................. 66 3.1.6 Ethical Considerations................................................................................................. 71 3.1.7 Reflexive Journal....................................................................................................... 72 3.1.8 Supervision .................................................................................................................. 73 4.1 Chapter Four – Results....................................................................................................... 74 4.1.0 Reflexive Reflections on interview 1: The unconsciously conflicted seeker .......... 74 4.1.1 Reflexive Reflections on interview 2: the conscious seeker. ................................. 80 4.1.2 Reflexive Reflections on interview 3: The measured investor, who applied logic. 83 4.1.3 Reflexive Reflections on interview 4: Conscious denial. ........................................ 84 4.1.4 Reflexive Reflections on interview 5: The misunderstood ..................................... 90 4.1.5. Reflexive Reflections on interview 6;“a soul speaks to a soul and you listen.” (Line 864) ......................................................................................................................... 95 4.2 Themes formation .............................................................................................................. 99 4.2i The emergence of an overarching theme ................................................................... 100 4.2 a Table of Results; The list of participants and the emergent themes from their interviews ..........................................................................................................................