Why do we see ghosts? The science behind spooky encounters

October 28, 2026 - 23:18

At Halloween, when people share tales of haunted houses, ghosts in the graveyard and things that go bump in the night, Wake Forest University psychologist Melissa Maffeo responds with science. Author of the 2025 book "Science of the Supernatural: Critical Thinking for the Mind and Brain," Maffeo explores the spooky experiences pop culture often attributes to the paranormal through the lens of neuroscience. She says several key neurological and psychological factors can explain why we see ghosts.

One major factor is how the brain fills in gaps. Our minds are wired to detect patterns and faces, even in random noise or shadows. This tendency, known as pareidolia, can turn a curtain moving in the wind into a figure standing in the corner. Sleep paralysis is another common culprit. During this state, a person wakes up but cannot move, and the brain can produce vivid hallucinations of a presence in the room. Grief and expectation also play a role. When someone desperately wants to see a lost loved one, the brain may interpret ordinary sights or sounds as a sign. Maffeo argues that understanding these mechanisms does not ruin the mystery. Instead, it offers a clearer view of how powerful and sometimes quirky the human brain can be, especially when fear and imagination take over.