This simple definition is a far cry from the scenes depicted in the '80's movie series. Despite the fact that these shows were fun to watch, we still have Hollywood to thank, as usual, for sensationalizing a subject to the point that the original context is almost lost.
So, Hollywood aside, what is a poltereist, really? As the definition above indicates, a polergeist is a "Noisy Ghost". They can be responsible for unexplained knocking or rapping, objects moving without explanation, doors opening and closing, footsteps, and the like. On this website, you will see the term poltergeist used in two different ways. Poltergeist type acitivity, which is simply a descriptive term for the type of specific activity. Then there is the poltergeist type haunting, which is described here below.
There are many popular theories on the cause of poltergeist type hauntings:
Many people believe that a poltereist either a human or inhuman spirit that will target a specific person. This person will be a focus for all the activity. The intent is not possession, but rather to gain recognition. Some believe that in the "spirit world" recognition = power. The more recognition a spirit gains, the more power it has. If the polergeist spirit focuses all it's energy on being recognized by one person, that person will eventually take notice. The more notice they take, they stronger the spirit becomes and the more activity happens. The more activity that happens the more likely that other people around the focus will take notice, and so and so forth.
Others believe that poltergeists are all demonic or malevolent in nature. with the sheer intent on toturing or terrorizing their "focus" or target. It is common, in this belief, to assume that the entity was sent by someone who wanted to curse the focus.
Antecdotal studies of the poltergeist phenomena reveal a slightly different picture. There is still generally a focus, or target. However it does not seem to be restricted to one person. It happen to entire families or households, but even in this situation, there is still usually a central person in common. Sometimes this person is the focus of the activity, and sometimes, according to some experts, they may be the cause. This person is, many times, either a prepubescent or pubescent teen or a person with recent traumatic history. This person is also female the majority of the time. From there, this theory has divided into two major schools of thought. The first holds that, because of an emotionally vulnerable state, the focal person is a source of energy and or power for a spirit. These second holds that this person, because of unresolved or pent up emotions, is actually the cause of the poltergeist activity. They unknowingly expell a psychic energy of some sort causing the poltergeist type activity. Believers of this theory generally suggest that the activity will subside over time as the emotional issues are resolved.
LPI does not subscribe to any one theory on this subject. In light of antecdotal evidence and research done on the subject, we hold that ist is pheasible that any of the above could be at the center of a legitimate poltergiest type haunting.
