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Fantastic memories: how reliable are reports of anomalous events?

Dr. Chris French

Ever since records began, people have reported strange and wondrous events that we would nowadays label as paranormal. Such reports have always aroused controversy. The existence of paranormal forces is not recognised by modern science. How then can we explain reports of anomalous events of various kinds? Psychological research would support the idea that many such accounts have their basis in the vagaries of human memory. The unreliability of human memory with respect to eyewitness accounts of alleged miracles has long been recognised. More recent research strongly supports the notion that false memories may be implicated in a wide range of allegedly paranormal phenomena, including UFO abduction claims and memories of past lives.

Dr. Chris French is currently Reader in Psychology at the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London. One of his main areas of interest is the psychology of paranormal belief. He often appears on television and radio and in the national press, providing a sceptical perspective on paranormal and related claims.

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