In folklore and parapsychology, a poltergeist is a type of ghost or other supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances such as loud noises and objects moved around or destroyed. Most accounts of poltergeists describe movement or levitation of objects, such as furniture and cutlery, or noises such as knocking on doors. Poltergeists have also been claimed to be capable of pinching, biting, hitting and tripping people.
Poltergeists occupy numerous niches in cultural folklore, and have traditionally been described as troublesome spirits who haunt a particular person instead of a specific location. Such alleged poltergeist manifestations have been reported in many cultures and countries including the United States, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and most European nations, with early accounts dating back to the 1st century.
Another popular theory is that poltergeist activity is caused by the angst of prepubescent teens. It is believed that they are somehow able to manifest their angst into a real, invisible force that moves objects and causes general chaos. Unable to control this force and unaware that they are causing it, they are at its mercy.
This episode of ParaReality Radio originally aired on Live365 on 8/27/04.