Changes

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

[[Image:Paraghost.gif| thumb| left| 165px| Fabricated images of [[ghosts]] such as this were very popular in the 19th century.]]Scientists who are critical of parapsychology begin with the assertion that extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence. Proponents of hypotheses that contradict centuries of scientific research must provide extraordinary evidence if their hypotheses are to be taken seriously.<ref name=Gracely>{{cite web |last=Gracely, Ph.D. |first=Ed J. |authorlink= |title=Why Extraordinary Claims Demand Extraordinary Proof |work=PhACT |date=1998 |url=http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/extraproof.html

Scientists who are critical of parapsychology begin with the assertion that extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence. Proponents of hypotheses that contradict centuries of scientific research must provide extraordinary evidence if their hypotheses are to be taken seriously.<ref name=Gracely>{{cite web |last=Gracely, Ph.D. |first=Ed J. |authorlink= |title=Why Extraordinary Claims Demand Extraordinary Proof |work=PhACT |date=1998 |url=http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/extraproof.html

|accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref> Many analysts of parapsychology hold that the entire body of evidence to date is of poor quality and not adequately controlled.  In their view, the entire field of parapsychology has produced no conclusive results whatsoever. They cite instances of fraud, flawed studies, a [[Magical thinking|psychological need for mysticism]], and [[cognitive bias]] as ways to explain parapsychological results.<ref>{{cite book |last=Myers |first=David G |title=Psychology |edition=8th |date=2006 |publisher=Worth Publishers, Inc. |isbn=0716764288}}</ref> Skeptics have also contended that people's desire to believe in paranormal phenomena is often stronger than the evidence that it does not exist.<ref>{{cite web |last=Myers |first=David G |authorlink= |coauthors=Blackmore, Susan |title=Putting ESP to the Experimental Test |work=Hope College |url=http://www.davidmyers.org/Brix?pageID=61&article_part=4 |accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref>

|accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref> Many analysts of parapsychology hold that the entire body of evidence to date is of poor quality and not adequately controlled.  In their view, the entire field of parapsychology has produced no conclusive results whatsoever. They cite instances of fraud, flawed studies, a [[Magical thinking|psychological need for mysticism]], and [[cognitive bias]] as ways to explain parapsychological results.<ref>{{cite book |last=Myers |first=David G |title=Psychology |edition=8th |date=2006 |publisher=Worth Publishers, Inc. |isbn=0716764288}}</ref> Skeptics have also contended that people's desire to believe in paranormal phenomena is often stronger than the evidence that it does not exist.<ref>{{cite web |last=Myers |first=David G |authorlink= |coauthors=Blackmore, Susan |title=Putting ESP to the Experimental Test |work=Hope College |url=http://www.davidmyers.org/Brix?pageID=61&article_part=4 |accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref>