Poltergeist Phenomena
Reports of supernatural disturbances involving moving objects, loud noises, and physical attacks, attributed to invisible agents or psychokinetic energy.
OVERVIEW
Poltergeist (German for 'noisy ghost') phenomena refer to reports of physical disturbances attributed to supernatural entities or psychokinetic energy. Typical incidents include objects being thrown, furniture moving, loud knocking, and occasionally physical attacks on people. The phenomenon has been documented for centuries across cultures. Parapsychologists distinguish poltergeist activity from hauntings, noting that poltergeist cases often center around a specific living person, frequently an adolescent, suggesting the disturbances may be caused by unconscious psychokinesis. Famous cases include the Enfield Poltergeist, the Bell Witch, and the Rosenheim Poltergeist.
KNOWN FACTS
The Enfield Poltergeist case (1977–1979) was investigated by the Society for Psychical Research
Multiple witnesses, including police officers, reported physical phenomena
Audio recordings captured mysterious knocking and voices
The Rosenheim case (1967) was observed by police and physicists
Documented cases exist from multiple countries and centuries
CLAIMS
Physical objects move without human agency
Knocking sounds produce messages in response to questions
The phenomena often center around a specific individual, usually an adolescent
Poltergeist activity is distinct from hauntings and more physically violent
The phenomena can be captured on audio and video recordings
EVIDENCE FOR
The Enfield Poltergeist case (1977–1979) was investigated by the Society for Psychical Research
Multiple witnesses, including police officers, reported physical phenomena
Audio recordings captured mysterious knocking and voices
The Rosenheim case (1967) was observed by police and physicists
Documented cases exist from multiple countries and centuries
EVIDENCE AGAINST
Most poltergeist cases have been exposed as hoaxes or misinterpretations
The Enfield case was partially discredited when some activity was shown to be faked by children
No physical theory explains how psychokinesis could move objects
The phenomena tend to occur in homes where there is psychological stress
Natural causes (drafts, water pipes, seismic activity) explain many reports
OPEN QUESTIONS
No open questions recorded.
SOURCES
TIMELINE
Teddworth Drummer case (England's earliest poltergeist report)
Bell Witch haunting in Tennessee
Rosenheim Poltergeist investigated by German physicists
Enfield Poltergeist investigated by SPR