Tales from the Testkeepers - TestYourself.psychtests.com Releases Results Of Their Paranormal Research

TestYourself shines a flashlight in dark corners, digging deep to unearth people's fears and beliefs about the paranormal.

MONTREAL, CANADA (MARKETWIRE) -- October 30, 2011

Researchers at TestYourself.psychtests.com, a pioneer in online personality, career, and IQ assessments, have armed themselves with garlic, silver bullets, and charms, and have delved deep into the mysterious world of the paranormal. Collecting data from over 22,000 people, their research reveals that some paranormal beliefs still spook some of us, even in today's technologically and scientifically-advanced world.

There is no denying it - people love to be terrified. Nothing ignites our curiosity like the unknown, and nothing excites us more than entertaining beliefs of dark creatures who go bump in the night. That's why we peak through splayed fingers when watching horror movies. That's why we inconspicuously peak over our shoulder or take a second look at that shadow in the corner after laughing off a friend's attempt to scare us with a scary story. And that's why Halloween still holds a sense of wonder, even after we've outgrown the desire to dress up and solicit sweet treasures from strangers. As Anthony Hopkins, who played the terrifying and memorable role of Hannibal Lector put it, "We are fascinated by the darkness in ourselves, we are fascinated by the shadow, we are fascinated by the boogeyman."

Most people may raise an eyebrow at talk of the paranormal, but skepticism doesn't always stop them from instinctively knocking on wood to ward off some evil, or cringing at the thought of 7 years of bad luck after breaking a mirror. In fact, 18% of TestYourself's test-takers admitted that superstitions impact their actions at least to some degree … like skirting around ladders or refusing a hotel room that's numbered 13. And in the true spirit of Halloween, 9% of test-takers dread the idea of having a black cat cross their path, and a whopping 63% believe in ghosts, sprits, and poltergeists. Moreover, with the recent upsurge of movies and TV shows romanticizing the supernatural, witches too still hold a sense of awe, respect, and perhaps a little fear for 42% of TestYourself's test-takers.

"The fact that Halloween still sends an occasional shiver down our spine is because there are still some phenomena that we can't fully explain," explains Dr. Ilona Jerabek, president of the company. "The fact that 23% of our test-takers are positive that they had a paranormal experience in their life tells us that we can't immediately write the paranormal off so easily. Does it mean that spirits or other entities are real? It may be extremely unlikely and we might find such beliefs ridiculous, but the truth is, we cannot rule it out with 100% certainty. But I think the idea that they might be real is a thought that people like to entertain. Who doesn't love a good mystery?"

So what are some of the unexplained, spooky phenomena that still make us want to pull a blanket over our head and call our mommies? TestYourself's data reveals that:

  • 11% of test-takers refuse to open an umbrella indoors.
  • 17% believe that luck or love spells work.
  • 26% believe in the foretelling ability of palm reading.
  • 27% believe that there is no such thing as a coincidence.
  • 27% believe in the effectiveness of black magic.
  • 30% believe in the power of curses.
  • 38% fear the Bermuda Triangle.
  • 48% believe that the dead can get in touch with the living, through a medium or during sleep.
  • 58% believe that in one way or another, we will be punished for wrongdoings.
  • 60% believe that there is life on other planets.
  • 64% believe that death is not the end.

Those wishing to dig up and bring their personal paranormal beliefs to the light can take TestYourself's test at https://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/2115

About TestYourself.psychtests.com
TestYourself.psychtests.com is a subsidiary of PsychTests AIM Inc. TestYourself.psychtests.com is a site that creates an interactive venue for self-exploration with a healthy dose of fun. The site offers a full range of professional-quality, scientifically-validated psychological assessments that empower people to grow and reach their real potential through insightful feedback and detailed, custom-tailored analysis.

About Psychtests AIM Inc.
PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts. The company's research division, Plumeus Inc., is supported in part by Research and Development Tax Credit awarded by Industry Canada.

Contact:
Ilona Jerabek, Ph.D., President
Psychtests AIM Inc.
https://testyourself.psychtests.com/