Page 24 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - Late January 2019

24 Encounters Of The Psychological Kind

Close encounters of the

psychological kind

by Christopher C. French

In recent years astronomers have discovered an
ever-increasing number of earth-like planets,
fuelling speculation that we may not be alone in
the universe. Many members of the public are
already convinced that not only is there
intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, but
also that aliens visit our planet regularly.
Indeed, many claim to have had personal
experiences that prove that this is so. Are there
plausible alternative explanations for such
claims?
It is a pretty safe bet that virtually every
reader of this article has heard of, and possibly
even seen, Steven Spielberg’s 1977 blockbuster
UFO movie Close Encounters of the Third
Kind. However, I suspect that most readers are
not entirely sure what the film’s title really
means. In fact, it refers to J. Allen Hynek’s
classificatory system for alleged alien contact of
various kinds. Hynek was an American
astronomer who acted as a scientific adviser to
the US Air Force on a number of high-profile have seen objects that they could not identify – observers, such as pilots, astronomers, military
projects investigating UFOs beginning back in literally unidentified flying objects. In modern personnel, and police officers, are not immune
the 1940s. He began as a sceptic and debunker times, however, the acronym UFO has become to such misperceptions – as illustrated in several
– but ended up as a strong defender of both the synonymous in many people’s minds to that of well-documented cases (see e.g. Bartholomew
so-called ‘extraterrestrial (ET) hypothesis’ and ET. A moment’s reflection will reveal that this is & Howard, 1998; Brookesmith, 1995, 1996;
the even more controversial ‘extradimensional a huge inferential leap. Clarke & Roberts, 1990; Frazier et al., 1997;
(ED) hypothesis’ as possible explanations for Our readers will be well aware that both Klass, 1983; Randles et al., 2000; Sheaffer,
such reports. Specifically, close encounters of perception and memory are constructive 1998; Watson, 2013).
the third kind (CE3s) refers to alleged processes greatly affected by the top-down
encounters that involve actual human–alien influences of the observer’s pre-existing beliefs The second kind
interaction. and expectations. UFOs are typically observed
Opinion polls routinely show that many unexpectedly under less than ideal viewing A sighting that appears to be supported by
members of the general public also believe in conditions, often at night. It is precisely under physical evidence is referred to as a close
the ET hypothesis. To give but one typical such viewing conditions that top-down encounter of the second kind (CE2). Such
example, a 2013 HuffPost/YouGov poll of 1000 influences will have their strongest effect upon evidence is typically in the form of a
US adults (tinyurl.com/moa2ez6) found that the perceptions of the viewer. Thus, details may photographic record, but these cases also
half believed there is life on other planets, 38 be perceived (e.g. aliens peering back at the include sightings accompanied by radar
per cent believed there is intelligent life on other observer through windows) that were not readings or else indentations and/or raised
planets, and a quarter believed that aliens have actually present at all. It should also be borne in radiation levels at alleged landing sights.
visited the earth. It is important to note in this mind that there are typically few, if any, cues to The old adage ‘The camera never lies’
context that right back to Carl Sagan, many size, distance and speed in the sky. An object has never been true and has never been less true
scientists involved in the SETI (Search for that is small, near and slow-moving will than it is in our modern digital age. Ever since
Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Project have fully produce the same image on the retina as one that the earliest days of photography, cameras have
accepted the possibility of intelligent life is large, far away and fast-moving. been used to fake paranormal phenomena, such
elsewhere in the universe but are far from It may initially seem incredible that as apparently capturing ghostly images of the
convinced that alien visitation of our home people could misperceive a wide variety of deceased (Nickell, 1994). With software such as
planet has ever happened. Even if our own stimuli (such as bright stars and planets, Photoshop, it has never been easier to produce
galaxy is teeming with life, it may well be the meteors, weather balloons, aircraft seen from hoax photographs of all kinds. Many classic
case that the vast interstellar distances between unusual angles, laser displays and Chinese photographs of flying saucers have been shown
inhabited planets is such that any direct human– lanterns) as alien spaceships, but even the most to be deliberate hoaxes (see, for example,
alien contact is simply not possible. fervent proponents of the ET hypothesis accept Hines, 2003; Hoggart & Hutchinson, 1995;
If indeed the earth has never been visited that over 95 per cent of all reported sightings Korff, 1995). In other cases, photographs or
by ET, how are we to explain the numerous can be explained in such terms. The reason we videos are simply sincerely misinterpreted
reports of UFO sightings and even alien contact can often be sure that such explanations are natural or manmade phenomena.
and abduction that have taken place in the last correct is because the precise time and direction Mundane explanations can also often be
60 years or so, and arguably even before that? I of the sighting exactly corresponds to a known provided for other types of physical evidence.
will argue that psychology provides plausible event occurring in that part of the sky. However, For example, radar readings can sometimes be
counter-explanations for close encounters of all proponents of the ET hypothesis insist that misleading. False positives, sometimes referred
kinds. unless such explanations can be provided for to as angels, can be caused by flocks of birds or
100 per cent of all reported sightings, the ET unusual atmospheric conditions. This was
The first kind hypothesis is supported. Is this reasonable? Of particularly a problem for pre-1960s systems,
course not. Just as the police cannot solve all of which may explain why reports of UFOs
A simple sighting of a UFO with no other the crimes they investigate, sometimes there is detected on radar are much rarer these days
supporting evidence is referred to as a close simply not enough evidence to allow for a (Clarke, 2012).
encounter of the first kind (CE1). Ever since definitive explanation of a sighting. Even those
human beings first looked up at the sky, they who could be thought of as professional (Continued on Page 28)