Abstract

Notes that Hampton Court Palace is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in England. This investigation aimed to discover the extent to which these reports were related to 3 variables: belief in ghosts, suggestion, and magnetic fields. 462 subjects (Ss; aged 7-82 yrs) completed questionnaires measuring belief in ghosts, previously experienced unusual phenomena and whether they attributed these phenomena to ghosts. Believers reported significantly more unusual phenomena than disbelievers and were significantly more likely to attribute the phenomena to ghosts. Participants then walked around an allegedly haunted area of the Palace and reported unusual phenomena they experienced. Believers reported significantly more anomalous experiences than disbelievers and were significantly more likely to attribute these to a ghost. Prior to visiting the locations, half of the Ss were told that the area was associated with a recent increase in unusual phenomena, whereas the other half were told the opposite. The number of unusual experiences reported by Ss showed a significant interaction between belief in ghosts and these suggestions. Results indicate a possible relationship between the locations in which Ss reported their experiences and local magnetic fields.