A review by anthropologist Erika Bourguignon found that 77% of the 488 societies she studied across the world had stories of supernatural possession - but is there a scientific explanation for these beliefs? Let's take a look at a couple of historical cases of "possession" and then some psychological conditions that might offer an explanation...
Catholics go even further, with stories of possession by fallen angels. Possession could supposedly grant the victim superhuman strength and inexplicable knowledge, while making them speak in tongues (glossolalia) and subject to fits of uncontrollable rage.
Other religions include possession of a beneficial nature. Voodoo practitioners believe that a Lwa can "ride" a priest or celebrant, allowing them to interact with worshipers or bestow aid and advice. Similar beliefs can be found in many shamanistic traditions, where the shaman could act as the mouthpiece of the gods.
In 2005, Romanian nun Maricica Cornici was diagnosed as schizophrenic and released back into the care of the Tanacu Monastery. Monastery leader Daniel Corogeanu decided the Cornici was possessed instead, and attempted an exorcism that led to her death. Cornici was restrained on a cross for three days while gagged and anointed by holy oil and water. Post-ordeal, she fainted while trying to eat and an ambulance was called. Cornici died before reaching the hospital. Those involved with the exorcism were handed custodial sentences, but some locals hold that Cornici had been possessed.
Some psychiatrists discount the disorder, claiming that patients are simply playing "roles" as a coping mechanism. Others suggest that there are biological differences between those experiencing the disorder and individuals playing make-believe. However you want to look at it, multiple identities in the same body would look a lot like possession!
Windows to the soul? (Helmut_Strasil)
Spiritual Origins
Many religions believe that a spirit can enter an individual and control or compel their actions - usually to cause mischief. One such example is the Jewish Dybbuk, a displaced spirit with unfinished business. This unhappy ghost was said to latch on to a host until it had tied up any loose ends... or was exorcised by a rabbi.Catholics go even further, with stories of possession by fallen angels. Possession could supposedly grant the victim superhuman strength and inexplicable knowledge, while making them speak in tongues (glossolalia) and subject to fits of uncontrollable rage.
Other religions include possession of a beneficial nature. Voodoo practitioners believe that a Lwa can "ride" a priest or celebrant, allowing them to interact with worshipers or bestow aid and advice. Similar beliefs can be found in many shamanistic traditions, where the shaman could act as the mouthpiece of the gods.
Real Events
Though rooted in spiritual beliefs, cases of seeming "possession" have been recorded throughout history. In 1671 the unfortunate Elizabeth Knapp who was supposedly possessed while living in Massachusetts, America. She worked for a Puritan Reverend called Samuel Willard, who documented her case and declared it possession. Knapp experienced fits, phantom pain, involuntary movements and grabbing, hallucinations and a reversion to animal grunts and chanting.In 2005, Romanian nun Maricica Cornici was diagnosed as schizophrenic and released back into the care of the Tanacu Monastery. Monastery leader Daniel Corogeanu decided the Cornici was possessed instead, and attempted an exorcism that led to her death. Cornici was restrained on a cross for three days while gagged and anointed by holy oil and water. Post-ordeal, she fainted while trying to eat and an ambulance was called. Cornici died before reaching the hospital. Those involved with the exorcism were handed custodial sentences, but some locals hold that Cornici had been possessed.
The ominously named Iron Gate between Serbia and Romania... (hpgruesen)
The Psychology of Possession
You'd need to believe in the existence of spirits to believe in possession... and even if you did, how could you be sure that an individual was possessed? The catholic church has counselled that anything that looks like possession should be considered a purely medical issue until all other possible explanations have been found wanting. It's just as well, as there are several psychological conditions that resemble classical depictions of possession.Tourette Syndrome
This condition seems to occur in about 0.1 to 1% of the general population. Symptoms of this disorder can include:- Behavioral tics: Semi-voluntary movements that can range from shrugging to facial expressions. Sufferers describe this like a need to sneeze or an itch.
- Coprolalia: Outbursts of foul language.
- Echolalia and Palilalia: Echoing the words of others or yourself.
- Copropraxia: Obscene gestures and involuntary touching.
Epilepsy
A disorder that can result in fits, strange sensations, loss of awareness and staring into space, the symptoms of epilepsy could easily be interpreted as possession. Genetics or brain injury can result in epilepsy, and the characteristic fits can be triggered by flashing lights, substance use, stress, illness or even periods and the weather.Schizophrenia
A broad disorder affecting around 0.5% of the general population, schizophrenia causes sufferers to interpret the world abnormally. Symptoms can include...- Delusions: Bizarre thoughts and feelings of persecution are common, as is the belief that thoughts are somehow being "inserted" into the sufferer's mind.
- Hallucinations: Hearing voices and seeing lights are common, but taste, scent and touch have all been recorded.
- Disordered Thoughts: Jumbling words (sometimes referred to as a word salad) is a common effect.
- Apathy: Lack of any motivation.
- Blunted Affect: Showing little to no emotion.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
This strange condition used to be called multiple personality disorder, and researchers are not 100% convinced that it actually exists. Sufferers seem to split their identity into aspects, each of which can assume control of their thoughts and behavior.Some psychiatrists discount the disorder, claiming that patients are simply playing "roles" as a coping mechanism. Others suggest that there are biological differences between those experiencing the disorder and individuals playing make-believe. However you want to look at it, multiple identities in the same body would look a lot like possession!
Malnutrition
You wouldn't expect food to play a part in possession, but anthropologists seem to have found a link. It turns out that women from "traditional" societies (such as those found in the Horn of Africa) are disproportionately represented in spirit-possession cults. Researchers Kehoe and Giletti suggest that malnutrition due poverty or gender-based restrictions may be leading to neurological damage or other health conditions... that could be interpreted as possession.
Just a trick of the light, I'm sure... (PublicDomainPictures)
The Supernatural?
Finally, despite the number of "possessions" that have been reported throughout history (or lovingly splashed on the big screen) no scientifically credible evidence of supernatural involvement has ever been produced. Even spiritual bodies like the Vatican have issued extensive restrictions regarding when an exorcism can be performed - after all, people have enough inner demons to deal with without throwing spiritual ones into the mix.Thanks for reading - perhaps you'd also like...