The term "paranormal" refers to a wide range of alleged phenomena that appear to defy explanation using scientific understandings of natural law. The term is commonly used to refer to such diverse things as extrasensory perception (ESP), haunted houses, ghosts, devils, angels, spirits, reincarnation, telekinesis, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), space alien abductions, astrology, palm reading, astral projection, the Loch Ness monster, and communicating with the dead.

Public opinion polls and studies by academic researchers indicate that belief in paranormal phenomena is common. In a 1991 national survey of more than one thousand adults, George Gallup and Frank Newport reported that paranormal beliefs were "widespread," with nearly 50 percent of the respondents reporting belief in ESP and almost 30 percent reporting belief in haunted houses. Of some surprise to scholars, studies reveal that paranormal beliefs are not significantly lower among college students, even at...