Williams & Ventola: Poltergeist Phenomena Primer 1 Poltergeist Phenomena: A Primer on Parapsychological Research and Perspectives BRYAN WILLIAMS 1 AND ANNALISA VENTOLA 2 1 University of New Mexico 2 Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology, Lund University Summary: We present a basic primer for paranormal enthusiasts on the current state of parapsychological research and perspectives relating to phenomena traditionally labeled “poltergeist.” Topics such as case characteristics, experimental approaches, theoretical aspects, and the similarities and differences between poltergeist and haunt cases are discussed and supplemented with illustrative examples and anecdotes from the published case literature. We wish to dedicate this primer to Dr. William G. Roll of the University of West Georgia, in acknowledgment of his substantial and significant contributions to the parapsychological study of poltergeist phenomena over the past 50 years. Thanks in large part to his continuing efforts, our advancement in the understanding of poltergeists has reached the point where it is today. Table of Contents: 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................2 2. Poltergeists: Definition & Case Studies ...........................................................................................................3 Case Study #1: The Miami Disturbances...................................................................................................4 Case Study #2: The Rosenheim “Electronic” Poltergeist..........................................................................5 Case Study #3: The Druten Disturbances..................................................................................................6 3. Poltergeist Case Characteristics: The Phenomena .........................................................................................6 Type and Frequency of Phenomena...........................................................................................................7 Duration of the Phenomena........................................................................................................................8 Unusual Motion of Objects........................................................................................................................8 Object and Area Focusing ..........................................................................................................................9 Fraudulent Phenomena...............................................................................................................................9 4. Poltergeist Case Characteristics: RSPK Agents ...........................................................................................10 Cases Involving an Agent........................................................................................................................10 Age & Gender of the Agent.....................................................................................................................11 Situation of the Agent..............................................................................................................................11 5. Poltergeists and Haunts: Similarities and Differences .................................................................................14 Case Study #4: A New England Haunt-RSPK Case................................................................................15 Case Study #5: An Allegedly Haunted Japanese Restaurant ...................................................................16 6. Experimenting with Poltergeists? ...................................................................................................................18 Case Study #1 Revisited: Testing Julio ....................................................................................................18 Case Study #6: Tests with Tina Resch .....................................................................................................19 Case Study #3 Revisited: RNG PK Tests with Çetin ...............................................................................21 7. Towards a Theory of the Poltergeist: Three Aspects to Consider ..............................................................22 The Psychological Aspect........................................................................................................................22 The Neurological Aspect..........................................................................................................................23 The Energetic Aspect...............................................................................................................................24 8. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................................26 Notes ......................................................................................................................................................................27 References .............................................................................................................................................................28