Ethics in Paranormal Investigation
The topic of ethics and ethical behavior in the paranormal research and investigation field is one that keeps coming to me in various ways. It truly is time for us to examine the issue and determine how it affects us and our clients, what standards of practice we feel strongly should be adopted by ourselves and possibly others, what requirements we feel might be of value as more people are introduced into the field, and how we as investigators and researchers prefer to be perceived by society. I don’t have the answers, nor does anyone. Debate at this point would be nonproductive. But discussion and cooperation while sharing thoughts objectively and respectfully could yield positive results that could eventually form into a cohesive pattern of thought that might actually one day form into some common standards of practice.
My friend on MySpace, whose username is spiritsofstpetersburg posted the following blog entry, which I repost with her permission:
http://www.myspace.com/spiritsofstpetersburg
Date: Aug 31, 2008 3:52 PM
Subject: Ethics in paranormal investigation/SPIRITS blog
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“I worry about the field of ghost/paranormal investigation. Since the inception of the television shows, paranormal investigation has exploded into the mainstream. No longer a fringe movement, it is open to public view through the lens of specially produced television shows that bring this unusual craft into the homes of millions each week.”
“What is the result? An explosion of paranormal investigation groups, conferences, radio shows, more TV shows, books, ghost tours, and paraphernalia. Granted, the focus on equipment has certainly allowed for some improvements and mass buying has manipulated the market prices, usually for the better. There is a greater knowledge of what the paranormal is about. I remember starting actual on-site investigations 12 years ago and being treated as an occultist. My research before that tapped books that were a mixture of parapsychological and paranormal – Big Foot, UFOs, and the Loch Ness Monster, resided alongside of ghosts, poltergeists, and ESP. There was no separation of ideals, and all were regarded with equal suspicion.”
“However, in the decades since this mixed uncertainty there are a plethora of groups with morals that range from pure investigation to fame and money making attempts. Ghost investigation groups tend towards the moderate, with mixed methodologies allowing for sensitivity and equipment, though some groups shun psychics entirely while others are only sensitive-based. Many aim for the empirical study (of something that is a mixture of belief, empiricism, and cultural ideals). Most aim for what they see on TV: What “Ghosthunters” do, they do.”
“How should teams deal with each other? There is no regulation in this field. Schisms are developing over territory (I remember when we were pretty much the only team in the area. Now there are about a dozen in the same area). Politics are terrible. When does one team transgress on another? Is permission needed to investigate an area? What happens if multiple teams investigate (or inquire to investigate) a known haunt? (We have had one experience with a new team in the area that wanted to go into a business we investigated. The business owner had such a negative experience, and was also inundated with requests from other teams, that the business is now closed to all paranormal investigation teams). What happens if one group is doing a controlled investigation? Does that location become closed to others until the investigation is completed? (We also had that experience where one team came into a location that we were investigating for a year which culminated with a public presentation/conference. This group chose to come in one week before our results were to be released and our investigation was to end; the conference was an opening point to all investigation teams to explore the area for potential haunting). Business administration did not know they were coming, staff said that this team claimed to know us and were let in).”
“Is this seen as an attempt by one team to undermine another, or was it simply a miscommunication?”
“Another issue falls to how teams interpret data. Is there one right way to investigate? This field has no hard and fast guidelines. Many have standard guidelines that most people follow (use of EMF, thermometers, cameras, for example) but beyond a basic ghost hunting kit the field is wide open. The SPIRITS of St. Petersburg is a little different. As the founder, I come from an academic background with culture/religion/education as my primary focus. This group utilizes subjective and objective research that culminates in a mixed methods (stronger with qualitative research) study. Is this wrong? No. Qualitative research is a valid form of research utilized in many culturally-oriented fields, including education. Is it standard? Let’s just say that it is gaining in prominence. Yet, it is not displayed or shown on television, discussed by many groups, or utilized actively in the “scientific fields” that utilize hard-core empirical data as the only way to produce results (these turn to quantitative research). How many teams have dismissed us for this? Yet, do they even KNOW what qualitative research is? Or do they garner their knowledge from what they observe from the mainstream? In other words, what happened to the ability to critically think in paranormal investigation? If paranormalists are not critically thinking, this field will NOT grow or change.”
“What happened to doing paranormal investigation simply to do paranormal investigation? What happened to the quest for knowledge? When did this become about holding conferences, meetings, workshops, fundraisers, press releases? There are groups who present themselves as investigators but who are, in actuality, money-making machines. After joining, they charge hundreds for “haunted tours,” yet publicity falls on the few yearly “no charge” investigations that they do in a year, circulating out investigators who may not have any true knowledge of the field. Conferences have blossomed into investments costing hundreds of dollars to simply attend, not to mention the need to check into a hotel, eat, etc. What has happened here? How can paranormal teams do investigation if they are constantly attempting to manage seminars, conferences, and meetings? It is not to say that some meetings are not appropriate but motivation is a factor.
Is this for money? Publicity? Or education?”
“What happened to team loyalty and unity? How many teams have had members break off to form their own teams? (I always love the “use ya and leave ya” mentality). How many teams have had turbulence from unstable members, or members who attempt to do a power grab? In another unique experience, echoing what I have heard from others over the past few years, the SPIRITS co-hosted a paranormal conference in June. It was the first time a score card was needed to keep up with which group will talk to whom. If one person is invited, this person won’t come. What does this create? Fragmentation. Disillusionment. Frustration. Aggravation. Cliques. Disunity.”
“In the past 5 years, this field has become cut-throat and draining. As a founder, I spoke with others who said that they felt the same. One can NEVER rest. There is always another group ready to pounce; any weakness will be exploited. This field does NOT work together. It has created an atmosphere of animosity that sets out to tear “the other” down. This is detrimental to all of us. We will end up destroying the thing that we love: paranormal investigation, itself.”
“If this writing angers you, good. Maybe you recognize some of what is going on, maybe you see it in yourself. If this saddens you, good. It saddens me to no end. I have seen my two other loves, arts and education, being torn apart over the years. I recognize the symptoms – over crowding in the field, lack of internal control/stabilization, self-applied morals and ethics that are easily transgressed, and poor motivation (money, money, money, and fame). The irony is that I see others recognizing these facts but, in true paranormalist style, we form individual conferences to deal with these issues.
We can’t even seem to come together to form a meeting for unity (the irony there)!”
“We must find a way to come together, to stay true to what we say we will do. I have met far too many groups who say one thing and do another. It is disheartening. Yet, there is one final truth that cuts through all of this: Ghost investigation is heading for a fall unless we come together to work together in a friendly atmosphere that is conducive for everyone. Unless leaders follow their own moral and ethical guidelines, treat other teams with respect, and utilize a humanistic rule base, this field is doomed.”
“So, I ask you: What do you think? Is there a solution to this? If so, what is it?”
“You are welcome to respond to the SPIRITS blog if you so wish.”
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BLOG: http://blog.myspace.com/spiritsofstpetersburg
This is my response:
Amen, sister! Your blog entry is well-written, clear, well thought out, and to the point. Kudos.
You have identified the problems readily.
(1) No universal standards of practice
(2) No specific educational or life experience requirements
(3) No ethical or moral guidelines in common between groups or individuals
Since paranormal research and investigation is still a fringe pseudoscience being treated by many as if it were mainstream science, others as if it were a hobby, and others as if it were a party game, there simply is no standard.
The ordinary people seeking help from a reputable paranormal investigation team are the ones who really suffer. They can easily waste months or years in misery trying to find a group who will help them; but only coming in contact with those who have no interest in actual research, investigation, and helping the people who called on them for help in the first place.
The problem is so prevalent that there cannot be a single solution.
As individuals one thing we can do is network with one another and share our resources with not only one another; but especially with those seeking help. As individuals and groups we can choose to adopt standards of ethics, make these known in print, and endorse others who also adopt standards of ethics. We should not, must not, demand that others have the same standards that we do. We MUST accept that there are different standards that are acceptable, different beliefs, and different needs. Just as there is a different religion for every spiritual place one might find himself or herself in life, there is also a differnt paranormal philosophy for every need known to man.
We solve nothing by pointing fingers, arguing, creating disharmony, spreading fear, and confusing our clients. Yes, those who ask for help are our CLIENTS whether they pay us or not. It is time for us to acknowledge that we owe them our respect, our consideration, and our best efforts to provide for them that which we have been prepared to provide.
Let me also share my comments posted to the video, “Paranormal Investigator Tools”
http://www.iamhaunted.com/videos/id_63/title_paranormal-investigator-tools/
Someone wrote, “Exactly when was the agency created that now certifies Paranormal Investigators?”
This is my reply:
Anyone can offer a certificate in anything anywhere anytime. If you give a class on pottery, crochet, cooking, housecleaning, or building a rocket to go to the moon, you can offer a certificate upon completion of the class or course. Now, how useful that certificate may be to the owner of it could be disappointing. If you give a certificate in cake decorating and the recipient expects to be employed as a baker based on that, he or she would be bitterly disappointed. But if the point was only to gain knowledge and have something to show for it, then the certificate would be cherished.
No, sadly, there are no standards for paranormal investigation. There are no ethical guidelines. There are no educational requirements. There are no rules of practice. There is no agency to demand that paranormal investigators be educated, skillful, ethical, or moral. I think that’s the point.
If we have ANY consideration for our fellow man (including Paranormal Investigators), for our clients (those who ask for our help), and for our world, then we MUST adopt standards of ethics, practice, and behavior. Since there is no standard, it is up to each individual and each group to determine what standards they feel are most important. Perhaps if we begin to publish our standards we will not only make it easier for clients to find the right person or group; but we might accidentally just find that we have certain standards in common, and that could be the beginning of a set of common standards some day.
Helping others CANNOT be accomplished successfully from a position of tearing down others, ANY others. Paranormal investigation is about determining what is really happening for people who need help in doing that. We cannot help one person while ripping apart one another. No one is really helped in that process.
So what if someone offers a certificate in Paranormal Investigation? Is there such a thing as an EXPERT in the paranormal? Of course not! How can you be an expert in the unknown? But if you do apply yourself to become knowledgeable and experienced in your field, why should ANYONE be upset because you received a certificate for your accomplishment?
And, yes, I have one of those certificates, too. And no, I don’t make a big deal out of it or belittle anyone who doesn’t have one.
