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Field of research

Society - Knowledge - Discourses

Paranormal experiences, astrology, conspiracy theories – the list of research topics in the border areas is long. The way in which such ‘paranormal’ topics are perceived and evaluated socially, scientifically or individually differs considerably in some cases. In the research area “Society–Knowledge–Discourse”, the emergence, communication and extent of these (different) perceptions is a central research interest. The focus is on the questions of which paranormal stocks of knowledge and practices circulate in a society, what paranormal knowledge actually is, where it is accepted or rejected and what function it has for individuals and society. Particular attention is paid to the role of discourses and the constitutive entanglement of knowledge (production), truth and power in them. Discourses confront people with a certain ‘knowledge system’, i.e. with regulating and regulated ways of making statements about social reality.

Public speech therefore also determines our image of the border regions and the associated ideas.

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These and other questions are being investigated as part of the research area Society–Knowledge–Discourse at IGPP. The research projects are organized on an interdisciplinary basis. They make use of a wide range of social and cultural science (quantitative and qualitative) research methods. Depending on the object of investigation, question and level of knowledge, the approach ranges from phenomenological to hypothesis-testing and theory-building research strategies.

Main research areas

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Glaskugel mit Hammer und Sichel

Heterodox knowledge, experiences and practices

What exactly are heterodox stocks of knowledge and what significance do they have in modern societies?
Menschliche Sihouette vor Seternenhimmel

Aliens and UFOs

How would humanity react to a 'first contact' with extraterrestrials?
Balkendiagramm Verbreitung paranormaler

Spread and reception of the paranormal

How widespread are paranormal experiences among the population?
Pyramide mit Auge

Sociology of conspiracy thinking

What exactly are 'conspiracy theories' and why are they so widespread?
Beitragsbild

Sociological aspects of border area research

What special challenges are associated with border region research?
Beitragsbild Schamanismus und

Shamanism and Neo-Shamanism

Studies on the reception of shamanism in Western societies

Magic and the Paranormal

Magical practices and paranormal phenomena