Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Our mind is a wonderful thing –
there is so much about it which remains a mystery to this day. There are a lot
of marvelous and mysterious world inside our heads. Our brain, which controls
everything in our body and communicates with thousands of other brain cells, has
also the ability to experience some other kind of phenomenon. Science is able to describe these strange phenomena,
but it cannot account for their origins.
This phenomenon is called déjà
vu. Déjà vu is an odd sensation wherein you encounter a strange feeling of
familiarity. Déjà vu comes from the French word “already seen”. As much
as 70 percent of the population had experienced some form of déjà vu. A higher
number of incidents occur in people 15 to 25 years old than in any other age
group.
(http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-d-j-vu-and-why-does-it-happen-11355)
There is much speculation as to
how and why this phenomenon happens. Several psychoanalysts
attribute déjà vu to simple fantasy or wish fulfillment, while some
psychiatrists ascribe it to a mismatching in the brain that causes the brain to
mistake the present for the past. Many parapsychologists
believe it is related to a past-life experience or “Reincarnation”. According
to Sigmund Freud he, believe that these feelings are the dreams that we have
every night, however we don’t remember them. Many scientific estimation and
studies actually hold this true. Others said that this is a dysfunctional
inside our brain. Our brains sometimes familiarize and recall at the same time.
(http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-d-j-vu-and-why-does-it-happen-11355)
Often, people feeling déjà vu
believe that the previous experience occurred in a dream. In some cases though,
people feeling déjà vu firmly believe that the past experience actually
happened. Is déjà vu a sixth sense or a glimpse into the future or past? Not
likely! Researchers believe the sensation of déjà vu is most likely just a
trick our brains play on us, making us think that an experience we’re currently
having is being remembered rather than occurring right now.
Although déjà vu has been
studied as a phenomenon for over a hundred years, and researchers have advanced
tons of theories about its cause, there is no simple explanation for what it
means or why it happens. Generally, it is left unexplained and is described in
a vague sense; but many people believe in the existence of this strange
phenomenon.
Based on the background
information, the researcher was able to make the following observations: déjà
vu can be related to dreams or what we called “Prophetic Dreams” and there is
no simple explanation about this strange phenomenon but many people believe in
this. There is a need for a better understanding regarding this
odd sensation and this paper focuses on the effects of déjà vu on an
individual’s life.
B. Statement of the
Problem
This study aims to answer this question:
1. What
are the effects of the beliefs of déjà vu in an individual’s behavior?
C. Significance of
the Study
Students
This research paper aims
to help students especially college students who are taking up Psychology
because an individual’s behavior is in line with their course. The research
aims to help them understand more this strange phenomena and how it affects us.
The researcher wants to help the students become more aware of déjà vu.
Teachers and Professors
This study can help
people most especially who are teachers or professors of Psychology class.
Psychologists who are studying about the behavior of a person can also be
guided by this paper. This study may also help them in preparation of lesson
plans for interested students.
Future Researchers
This paper can help the future researchers in
this field. They may use this as a guide for researching more about déjà vu.
D. Scope and
Delimitation
This research paper
focuses on the effects of déjà vu in an individual’s behavior. Déjà vu is a
very complex phenomenon and there are many different theories as to why déjà vu
happens.
Due to time constraints,
the researcher will no longer discuss other phenomenon related to déjà vu such
as Butterfly Effect, Capgras Delusion, Types of Prophetic Dreams, Precognitive
Dreams, and etc.
Resources of the
research will focus more on the beliefs about Déjà vu and how it affects an
individual’s life.
E. Materials and
Methods
As our consciousness
expands, we begin to use many tools and methods to heighten awareness and bring
about understanding. The researcher believes that déjà vu has a relationship
with dreams. And our dreams can affect or change an individual’s life.
The research will follow an
informative method. Though déjà vu is a very perplexing phenomenon, the
researcher will break down the information even further to understand more
about déjà vu. Also, the researcher thinks that déjà vu has a psychological
effects based on its beliefs. The researcher gathers some relevant information
from some reliable sources and articles found in the internet.
F. Definition of Terms
Déjà v Déjà vu, from French, literally
"already seen", is the phenomenon of
having the strong sensation that an event or experience currently being
experienced has been experienced in the past, whether it has actually happened
or not.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_vu)
Psychiatrists
person who deals or
treats person who have mental, emotional or behavioral disorders
Psychoanalysts a method of analyzing psychic phenomena and
treating emotional disorders that
involves treatment sessions
Reincarnation is a belief wherein a person is reborn after
death.
Phenomenon
an observable fact or event of scientific
interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation.
Dreams
it is a series of thoughts that happens when
we sleep.
Dysfunction abnormal
or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction
Theories
analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
Higher self is a term associated with multiple belief
systems, but its basic premise describes an eternal, omnipotent,
conscious, and intelligent being,
who is one's real self.
Prophetic
dreams are unexplained phenomena that can foretell the future by
means of dreaming.
Consciousness
it is the quality or state of being
aware especially of something
within
oneself.
Hindus people who believes in Hinduism and in reincarnation
Paraskevidek
-atriaphobia
fear in Friday the 13th
Voodoo dolls dolls that are use to curse and harm other
people
Chapter 2
DISCUSSION
I. Definition
Déjà vu is defined as the
feeling of having experienced or seen something before. Millions of individuals
claim to have had at least one déjà vu experience before. With numerous people
believing in this phenomenon's existence, some people are eager to dig
deeper about it.Although many theories evolved about the origination or cause of
déjà vu, no theory has been successfully proven due, in part, to the enigmatic
nature and the many faces of the phenomenon.
There is no simple explanation why déjà vu exist but many people believe in it
that’s why déjà vu is considered as one of the “supernatural beliefs”.
Superstitions are false concepts, practice or beliefs. Obviously, crossing your
fingers, knocking on wood, avoiding black cats has no effect on the world. But
if superstitious are all in are in our heads, then how do superstitious affect
our daily lives?
II. Psychological effect of
believing in Superstitious
A. Superstition, Belief and Behavior
When really strange things
happen that cannot be explained, people will believe anything to find an
answer. Despite knowing deep down that some superstitious are irrational,
people will automatically still turn to rituals or superstitions notions in
particular times when they fear a change of luck or when they are worry about
their future. These are the people who will not make a move unless performing a
certain ritual.
Basically, believing in
superstition activates the human brain. According to the article of Anton
Chekhow entitled “Man is what he believes”.He mentioned that believing in
superstitions is connected with emotions.
Chekhow says that “Beliefs are not just cold mental premises, but
are ‘hot stuff’ intertwined with emotions (conscious or unconscious). Perhaps,
that is why we feel threatened or react with sometimes uncalled for aggression,
when we believe our beliefs are being challenged! Research findings have
repeatedly pointed out that the emotional brain is no longer confined to the
classical locales of the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus.The sensory
inputs we receive from the environment undergo a filtering process as they
travel across one or more synapses, ultimately reaching the area of higher
processing, like the frontal lobes. There, the sensory information enters our
conscious awareness. What portion of this sensory information enters is
determined by our beliefs. Fortunately for us, receptors on the cell membranes
are flexible, which can alter in sensitivity and conformation. In other words,
even when we feel stuck ‘emotionally’, there is always a biochemical potential
for change and possible growth. When we choose to change our thoughts (bursts
of neurochemicals!), we become open and receptive to other pieces of sensory
information hitherto blocked by our beliefs! When we change our thinking, we
change our beliefs. When we change our beliefs, we change our behavior”.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2802367/)
B. Superstitions in Society
Superstitions and the belief exist in every
society in different countries. In China,
consulting in an astrologer is a very essential part of the wedding planning.
According to the article entitled “Picking a Blessed Day to Declare, “I
Do!” by Nicole Kidder it is said that the Chinese will
ask about what day and time the wedding should be held because they want to
ensure good fortune. In connection with Déjà vu, when the bride experience this
odd sensation and she feels she already see herself marrying that man, she
thinks that her groom is her destiny.
(http://weddingtraditions.about.com/od/WeddingPreparation/a/Picking-A-Blessed-Day-To-Declare-i-Do.htm)
In Bangladesh, both cultural and religious
superstition are really woven into peoples' lives, and superstitious for
example, it is considered unlucky to leave your house right after something has
been broken, or if you stumble before you leave. In the Philippines, they also
have a lot of superstitious beliefs. For example, avoiding black cats because
they believe it brings bad luck.In line with deja vu, when you experience this
and you think you already seen that black cat that cross your way or there is a
glass that has been broken and you feel that there willbad thing that might
happen to you, you will not go to your destination.
(http://www.truthpizza.org/logic/stition.htm)
Another article that talks
about the superstitions is entitled “Friday the 13th Phobia Rooted in Ancient History” by John Roach
for National Geographic News. He explains that the Romans believed that the number 13 was a symbol of
death and destruction. Paraskevidekatriaphobia for instance is the
fear of Friday the 13th and some people will take this
superstition so seriously that they will refuse to undertake anything involves
risk including traveling on the 13th. Like believing in déjà vu,
decisions like this based on superstitions and gut feelings are bound to affect
their everyday routines. They might miss out a great future opportunity by
refusing an important thing just because you believe in déjà vu.
(http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0212_040212_friday13.html)
Next, is crossing your fingers.
These gestures are sign of good luck and it sends positive vibes towards the
future. According to the article of Treye Green entitled “The History behind
the 13 Popular Superstitions”, it explains that this sign came from the ancient
times of the Christian persecution to identify other believers.In connection with déjà vu, when crossing your
fingers and you dream that it will bring you good luck and success, you will do
this kind of belief and it will be your part of your mannerisms.
(http://www.ibtimes.com/friday-13th-facts-history-behind-13-popular-superstitions-1405244)
Those who are mildly superstitious aren’t likely
to see these beliefs having a major impact on their life. However, there are
some who might find their superstitions affecting both their own life and the
lives of the people around them. These beliefs tend to play a large part in the
decisions we make every day of our lives.
C. Advantages in believing in Superstitions like Déjà vu
How these beliefs affect our
behavior? Engaging in superstitious activities like deja vureassures us
that we have done just one more thing to ensure that things will go well. The
greatest benefits of having superstitious belief is a sense of security and
confidence we gain from it. If wearing a ring or having a lucky charm before an
exam have given us good results before, chances are we will do the same every
time, will boost our confidence andtherefore improve our performance.
Superstitions like believing in deja vu can actually help through placebo
effect. If you think something will help you, it may just do that. Believe that
you can do as well, because it can somehow boost your self-assurance and the
chances of success.
D. Disadvantages in believing in Superstitions like Déjà vu
Superstitions can also bring negative effects in
our lives.Of course this can have its disadvantages as well. Loss of your lucky
charm, pens or rings or overconfidence in them can result in poor outcomes.
Phobic superstitions, such as fear of a certain number, of broken mirrors etc
can cause anxiety and influence decisions regarding future plans of travel or
appointments for example. Superstitious beliefs can be used to cause harm to
others. In Bangladesh culture, one of the popular ways to have revenge on your
enemy is using voodoo dolls. These dolls represent the person’s spirit. You
usually stick a pin into the doll and the person will experience some curses.
E. Belief of Déjà vu and Coincidence
However, despite all the pros and cons, people
have superstitious beliefs because they make us comfortable by lifting the
burden of responsibility from our shoulders and heap it on a black cat or
broken mirrors or some magical numerals.
Believing in superstitions like the existence of
déjà vu has nothing to do with intelligence. Some smart and not so smart people
will do the same rituals and have their own lucky charms. The phenomenon of
déjà vu is somehow a scenario of coincidence because it is just a delayed
reaction of our brain and eyes because there is not enough oxygen in our brain.
(http://www.theastralworld.com/other-mysteries/dejavu.php)
According to Janel Risen and David Nussbaum,
superstitions can really work in terms of psychology but it’s not magical
thing.
“While
almost any behavior can be turned into a superstitious ritual, perhaps the ones
that are most likely to survive are those that happen to be effective at
changing how we feel. We can seek to rid ourselves of superstitions in the name
of enlightenment and progress, but we are likely to find that some may be hard
to shake because, although they may be superficially irrational, they may not
be unreasonable. Superstitious rituals can really work — but it’s not magic,
it’s psychology.”
(http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/opinion/sunday/sense-and-superstition.html?_r=0)
The phenomenon of déjà vu is around for
centuries. Déjà vu as a supernatural belief can somehow affect the lives and
behavior of every individual. It can give a huge impact to everyone. It is
their own choice whether they will believe it or not, because our beliefs can
affect our behavior.
A. Prediction
In our fast revolving world, we are now entering
in a world full of technologies and the generation nowadays or what we called
the “Generation Y” is more focusing on the different benefits of the
technologies. And in the near future, the researcher predicts that these super
natural beliefs will no longer exists in the society because only the old
people believe in superstitions because it is part of their traditions. And
also, some of the beliefs are already forgotten. The incoming generation will
no longer believe in the existence of déjà vu.
Chapter 3
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Summary
This paper attempted to determine the effects of the
beliefs of déjà vu in the daily lives.
The research design used in this study was informativemethodwhere data
from several different online articles was used to answer the
following research question that was stated. The research
findings are the following:
1. Déjà vu is the odd feeling of familiarity that we experience from time to time. Déjà vu came from the French word that means “already seen”. Many researchers explore about the origin of this phenomena anda lot of studies were conducted about this phenomena.
2. There are many theories as to how and why this
phenomenon happens. Some psychoanalyst said that déjà vu are
fantasies while other said that it is cause by the mismatching in the human
brain.
3. Others relate it to the super natural belief of
Reincarnation. According to the scientist named Sigmund Freud, déjà vu are
dreams that people usually don’t remember.
4. Even though this phenomenon has been studied for
many years, it is still left unexplained, yet many people believe in its
existence. That’s why déjà vu is considered as a superstition.
B. Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the
researcher concludes that:
1. The true explanation of the existence of déjà vu
is still unexplained therefore it is a superstition. Believingin superstition
lie déjà vu can affect the lives of an individual. It can give a sense of
security and confidence. But believing in superstition has also its negative
effects. It can cause anxiety and can harm other people.
2. The researcher predicts that in the near
future, superstitions will no longer exist because the future generation will
pay attention on the technologies.
3. Déjà vu as a superstition had a
huge impact on the behavior of an individual.
C. Suggestions and Recommendations
After drawing the conclusion of the study, the researcher hereby
make the following suggestion and recommendations:
1. The effect of superstitions on people differs from person to
another according to their own attitude toward superstition. When dealing with
superstitions, the researcher suggests that it is better if we don’t have to
pay too much attention to it.
2. Scholars should design a research on possible future of the
traditional superstitions. They can conduct furthermore studies about the other
psychological effect of believing on superstitions.
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