William G. Roll, German-American psychologist and parapsychologist (b. 1926)

William G. Roll (July 3, 1926 – January 9, 2012) was a notable American psychologist and parapsychologist whose career was predominantly associated with the Psychology Department at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. His academic contributions and investigative work were largely focused on understanding and explaining anomalous phenomena, particularly those attributed to poltergeist activity.

Roll distinguished himself in the field of parapsychology, an interdisciplinary scientific field dedicated to the study of psychic phenomena, or "psi," which include extrasensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis (PK). The University of West Georgia became a significant hub for parapsychological research during his tenure, fostering an environment for the systematic investigation of phenomena often dismissed by mainstream science.

Among his most significant contributions, William G. Roll is widely recognized for his extensive investigations into poltergeist cases. Diverging from traditional supernatural explanations that attribute poltergeist activity to spirits or ghosts, Roll proposed a groundbreaking theoretical framework rooted in the concept of human psychokinetic ability. He coined the term "recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis," or RSPK, to describe these perplexing occurrences.

RSPK posited that poltergeist phenomena – such as objects moving or levitating, unexplained noises, the appearance or disappearance of items, or even minor fires – were not caused by external entities but rather were unconscious, involuntary, and recurring bursts of psychokinetic energy originating from a living individual. Roll's investigations often suggested that these "poltergeist agents" were typically adolescents experiencing significant psychological stress or emotional turmoil, such as unresolved conflicts, trauma, or familial tension. He meticulously documented numerous cases, seeking to identify patterns and underlying psychological factors rather than relying on supernatural interpretations. His approach aimed to bring a more scientific, albeit still highly unconventional, perspective to phenomena traditionally relegated to folklore or spiritualism.

Despite Roll's dedicated efforts and extensive documentation of cases, the concept of recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis, along with the broader field of parapsychology, has not achieved widespread acceptance within mainstream science. The scientific community generally views claims of psychokinetic abilities, including RSPK, with considerable skepticism. This lack of acceptance stems from several key factors, including a persistent absence of independently verifiable and replicable evidence under controlled experimental conditions, concerns regarding methodological rigor in field investigations, and the potential for misinterpretation of ordinary events, psychological factors, or even outright fraud.

Consequently, critics and scientific skeptics frequently characterized William G. Roll as a "credulous investigator." This label implied that his strong belief in the reality of paranormal phenomena might have led him to interpret anecdotal evidence too readily, overlook conventional explanations for unusual occurrences, or inadequately account for human error or deception in his analyses. Nevertheless, within the field of parapsychology, Roll remains a highly influential figure, remembered for his pioneering efforts to systematically investigate and theorize about poltergeist activity and for attempting to reframe it within a psychokinetic framework.

Frequently Asked Questions about William G. Roll and RSPK

Who was William G. Roll?

William G. Roll was an American psychologist and parapsychologist best known for his academic work at the University of West Georgia and his extensive investigations into poltergeist activity, which he theorized were manifestations of human psychokinesis.

What is "recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis" (RSPK)?

RSPK is a term coined by William G. Roll to explain poltergeist phenomena. It proposes that unexplained physical disturbances (like objects moving or noises) are not caused by spirits but by unconscious, spontaneous, and recurring bursts of psychokinetic energy originating from a living person, often an individual under psychological stress.

How does RSPK differ from traditional poltergeist explanations?

Unlike traditional explanations that attribute poltergeist activity to ghosts or spirits, RSPK offers a non-supernatural, albeit still parapsychological, explanation. It posits that the phenomena originate from the human mind's unconscious psychokinetic abilities, rather than from external entities.

Was RSPK accepted by mainstream science?

No, the concept of RSPK and the broader findings of parapsychology have not been accepted by mainstream science. This is largely due to a lack of replicable evidence, methodological concerns in investigations, and the absence of a known scientific mechanism to explain such phenomena.

Why was Roll described as a "credulous investigator"?

Skeptics and critics described Roll as "credulous" because they believed his strong conviction in paranormal phenomena might have led him to too readily accept anecdotal evidence or overlook conventional explanations for unusual occurrences during his investigations, rather than maintaining a purely objective stance.