Understanding exceptional experience

Since the beginning of time people have reported unusual experiences that challenge the conventional understanding of how the world works. These experiences include what we now call psychic experiences (exceptional knowing or unusual interactions with the environment), transpersonal and spiritual experiences. Within the Psychology Division a team of researchers are working toward a scientifically rigorous understanding of these experiences with a goal of contributing both to a deeper understanding of human consciousness as well as practical applications in the area of health and well-being.

Current research in this area includes:

• Exploring evolutionary roots of anomalous intuition (precognition)
• The role of the emotional system in mediating psychic experiences
• Testing models of human-machine interaction
• Evaluation of mindfulness programmes for secondary students
• Comparing different approaches for eliciting extrasensory perception in the laboratory

This research theme is the principal focus of the Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Phenomena (CSAPP) and all members of that research group are engaged in research related to this theme.