Healthy Skepticism

This is a really good attribute to practice if you are a paranormal investigator. 

Keep in mind that being a skeptic does not mean you are not open to the possibility that something might be paranormal in nature. Being a skeptic just means that you question things first before you make up your mind. Skeptics are normally open to a variety of possibilities.

People often confuse the term skepticism with the word cynic. A cynic is one who is unwilling to consider new possibilities. They are very stubborn in their beliefs and they often attribute negative characteristics to people who believe in something they do not believe in.

During an investigation you can get caught up in the excitement of the experience. It is fine to have fun but you should always balance this with the question: Is what I am seeing, hearing, feeling, etc. truly not explainable? 

This is why so many groups use some kind of ‘process of elimination” before they even consider that something paranormal might be occurring.

Asking questions is the best way to keep on track during an investigation. As soon as you experience something you should start listing all the possibilities, in your mind, that might have caused the incident. 

Never jump to conclusions too quickly. It is often best to wait awhile and consult with other team members, ask what their impressions are as well. Then all evidence should be reviewed before conclusions are drawn.

Cautionary note here: you should never let a group mentality sway you into making up your mind to quickly. Just because others say it must be paranormal in nature doesn’t mean it is.

It is at this point that a good investigator determines if there is any collaborating evidence to support their experience. When the EMF baseline was done was this area clear of man made causes? Was anything captured on tape or on camera? Did anyone else experience what you experienced etc.?

Happy Ghost Hunting!