I think it's pretty standard practice of many groups to use the buddy system when investigating. Some groups don't from time to time for various reasons, but it makes sense to have a partner to verify (not "prove") experiences, operate other equipment, provide a second opinion, take notes, etc.

But whether more people on an investigation would increase the actual likelihood of activity, I figure your answer would kinda depend on what theories you subscribe to. If you like PSI, then probably more is better. If you think we provide the necessary energy to promote activity, then probably more is better. If you think an entity's motivation is desperate or malicious, then probably fewer people is better (divide and conquer, in a sense). In fact, a lot of motivation-based interactions might benefit from having fewer people involved in the investigation. Honestly, though, I don't know for sure, Kim. So many different authors have their own take on this subject (or related subjects) and they all sound somewhat possible. Like I said, it kinda depends on what you think is possible.

At this point, I really don't have a theory for this as I feel that I have not read up on enough of this stuff to have accurate info to refer back to. More of a thought to throw out there to the group.

I believe along the same lines as TAPS on this subject in that having more than one person there to verify the experience lends credibility to that experience, however, there is also the risk of having the power of persuasion in that situation especially if the people are taking a mental stance of HOPING and WANTING to expeience something then they have already set themselves up for being easierly persuaded. I am a therapist/psychologist, so I tend to lean more towards the psychological explinations of occurrences, if that even makes sense This is a big reason why I feel skeptical on the re-enactment experiences.

I would also question the theory of having people dressed in period clothes as this also has a psychological effect on them and would make them more suceptible to interpreting experiences wrongly.

I hate it when it loses my post!

Tim, your post was right on. As I was reading post #10 by ‘CIVIL WAR LADY’ I was thinking the exact same things.

Quote:

I feel the right number for a vigil would be 3 because if something occurs 3 people allows for more conformation or raises questions for possible reasons for the occurrence that you or I never thought of. No fewer than 2 people would work just fine but I think no mone that 4 at any individual (room) vigil. More people could cause false evidence (not by design) or evidence could be missed due to personal unrelated conversations.

For example, during the recent Wornall House Ghost Tour, our group of about 20 was leaving the children’s room.
After about half of the group had exited the room the right side closet door opened. Could the large amount of people and their (possible) energy that was present and available for those entities to draw from, have caused the door to open? If so, then that theory is correct.

On the other hand, I believe that the large number of people walking on the very old floor about the same time caused the floor boards to shift in different ways which affected the closet door and it’s frame (that is opposite the room entrance) thus causing it to open. If I’m not mistaken the floor board are laid out from the door to the closet. This would be the false evidence I spoke of.

Now, never having any personal experiences my self, while our group was in the Master bedroom, I felt a tug on the strap of the camera bag slung over my shoulder. Could the presence of a large number of people in this room have provided enough energy for an entity to do something such as tug on my strap? If so, why would it pick me since I’m probably the least sensitive person in the room at the time.

I am not calling and I will not call this a paranormal occurrence because there is no concrete evidence this took place other than my word. I could have brushed up against something thus giving me the feeling something was tugging on the strap. I just don’t know.

I do want this to be a real paranormal experience but wanting gets you no where. Until I see solid evidence or the ghost comes up and slaps me, I’ll keep looking for proof.

Looking at that last post about the ghost coming up and slapping you made me go back and look at some old posts under the "Just For Fun" header. I think you would be interested in this t-shirt that was posted under the heading "I'm going to haunt.....". It's on page 2 of that section if you look for the link. It will take a couple of clicks to enlarge it, but it's worth the time:

http://www.t-shirts.cafepress.com/design/25675042

In the meantime, back to the subject. Does anyone else have any thoughts they would like to share on this? I didn't think posting one simply minor question such as this would generate this amount of resonse.

Oh, snap! I didn't pay attention and put in the wrong address for the shirt. Here is the correct one:

http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/design/25675042

Sorry 'bout that!

YES, that would be the shirt I would have to wear, but I'm afraid it might give the ghost ideas!

Sorry no post for so long. I had surgery on Monday and am still dealing with the pre and post pain fog.

I don't even remember what I said that got Ranier so riled up, but the only reason I chose Psi as my theory du jour was because it is GV's preferred theory. I personally believe in many different theories in trying to contact the other side.

Melissa

Riled up? Eh?