Psychosocial Hypothesis

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In ufology, the psychocultural hypothesis, colloquially abbreviated PSH, argues that at least some UFO reports are best explained by psychological or social means. It is often contrasted with the better known extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH), and is particularly popular among UFO researchers in the United Kingdom, such as Dr. David Clarke, the editors of Magonia magazine, and many of the contributors to Fortean Times magazine.

The psychocultural hypothesis is occasionally confused with aggressive anti-ETH debunking, but there is an important difference in that the PCH researcher sees UFOs as an interesting subject that is worthy of serious study, even if it is approached in a skeptical (i.e. non-credulous) way.^[1]

The psychocultural hypothesis is not a single, all-encompassing explanation of the UFO phenomenon, but explains different cases in different ways, all centering in some way on human behavior. Examples of PCH explanations are wishful thinking, hallucinations, hoaxes and misidentification of mundane objects. Because of its emphasis on human behavior, it attempts to explain why such a phenomenon is interpreted the way it has been, sometimes through pre-existing motifs and memetic selection.

One of the arguments in favor of the psychocultural hypothesis compared with less mainstream interpretations (e.g. interdimensional "tricksters" or extraterrestrial visitors) is that the latter lie outside the body of knowledge currently accepted by science whereas the PCH does not (cf. Occam's razor).

A different form of "psychocultural hypothesis" has been used by some ETH proponents in the dispute over alleged misconduct by mainstream society towards witnesses in several UFO cases, arguing that skepticism directed against such witnesses is itself a psychocultural trend conditioned by the authorities.