Ethical Readiness and Professionalization Among Mediums and Channelers in the United States
Siri K. Zemel, Helané Wahbeh
Journal of Parapsychology October 1, 2023 DOI: 10.30891/jopar.2023.02.04 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | US mediums and channelers |
| Key findings | Most respondents were middle-aged, white, college-educated females, and the group showed strong agreement on the importance of research, education, and training, on ethical standards and scope-of-practice guidelines, and on a more structured professional field. The authors present these beliefs as indicating responsiveness to ethical standards and related foundations for professionalization. |
Abstract
The study's research objective was to assess readiness for formalized structure within the US mediumship/channeling field.The specific aims were to: identify beliefs and practices related to research, education, and training within the field; and identify beliefs related to ethical standards and scope of practice.A cross-sectional, quantitative, and qualitative survey captured demographics and beliefs from nearly 150 mediums/channelers.Most respondents were middle-aged, white, college-educated females with strong group beliefs around the importance of research, education, and training; ethical standards and scope of practice guidelines; and a more structured professional field.This study provides a glimpse into who mediums/channelers are, what they believe about their occupation, their responsiveness to the development of ethical standards, and related foundations required to advance towards professionalization.