Alien abduction - Revision history

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	'''Alien abduction''' (also called '''abduction phenomenon''', '''alien abduction syndrome''', or '''UFO abduction''') refers to the phenomenon of people reporting what they ~~assure~~ to be the real experience of being [[Kidnapping\|kidnapped]] by [[Extraterrestrial life\|extraterrestrial beings]] and subjected to physical and psychological experimentation.<ref>[[Stuart Appelle\|Appelle, Stuart]]. "The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence". ''Journal of UFO Studies'', n.s. 6, 1995/96, pp. 29–78</ref> People claiming to have been abducted are usually called "abductees"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alien+abduction\|title=Alien abduction – Define Alien abduction at Dictionary.com\|work=Dictionary.com}}</ref> or "experiencers". Most scientists and mental health professionals explain these experiences by factors such as [[suggestibility]] (e.g. [[false memory syndrome]]), [[sleep paralysis]], [[deception]], and [[psychopathology]].<ref name="Appelle, 1996">Appelle, 1996</ref> Skeptic [[Robert Sheaffer]] sees similarity between some of the aliens described by abductees and those depicted in [[science fiction film]]s, in particular ''[[Invaders from Mars (1953 film)\|Invaders From Mars]]'' (1953).<ref name="skepticalperspective" />		'''Alien abduction''' (also called '''abduction phenomenon''', '''alien abduction syndrome''', or '''UFO abduction''') refers to the phenomenon of people reporting what they claim to be the real experience of being [[Kidnapping\|kidnapped]] by [[Extraterrestrial life\|extraterrestrial beings]] and subjected to physical and psychological experimentation.<ref>[[Stuart Appelle\|Appelle, Stuart]]. "The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence". ''Journal of UFO Studies'', n.s. 6, 1995/96, pp. 29–78</ref> People claiming to have been abducted are usually called "abductees"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alien+abduction\|title=Alien abduction – Define Alien abduction at Dictionary.com\|work=Dictionary.com}}</ref> or "experiencers". Most scientists and mental health professionals explain these experiences by factors such as [[suggestibility]] (e.g. [[false memory syndrome]]), [[sleep paralysis]], [[deception]], and [[psychopathology]].<ref name="Appelle, 1996">Appelle, 1996</ref> Skeptic [[Robert Sheaffer]] sees similarity between some of the aliens described by abductees and those depicted in [[science fiction film]]s, in particular ''[[Invaders from Mars (1953 film)\|Invaders From Mars]]'' (1953).<ref name="skepticalperspective" />

	Typical claims involve forced [[medical]] examinations that emphasize the subject's [[reproductive systems]].<ref name="medicaldiff">Miller, John G. "Medical Procedural Differences: Alien Versus Human." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 59–64.</ref> Abductees sometimes claim to have been warned against [[Human impact on the environment\|environmental abuses]] and the dangers of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref name="rarerepisodes" /> or to have engaged in [[Hybrid (biology)\|interspecies breeding]].<ref name="Östling 2021">{{cite book \|author-last=Östling \|author-first=Erik A. W. \|year=2021 \|chapter='I Figured That in My Dreams, I Remembered What Actually Happened': On Abduction Narratives as Emergent Folklore \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 \|editor-last=Zeller \|editor-first=Ben \|title=Handbook of UFO Religions \|location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] \|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] \|series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion \|volume=20 \|doi=10.1163/9789004435537_010 \|isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 \|issn=1874-6691 \|pages=197–232\|s2cid=236709574 }}</ref> The contents of the abduction narrative often seem to vary with the home culture of the alleged abductee.<ref name="skepticalperspective">Sheaffer, Robert. "A Skeptical Perspective on UFO Abductions." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 382–88.</ref> [[Unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), alien abduction, and [[Brainwashing\|mind control]] plots can also be part of radical political [[Apocalypticism\|apocalyptic]] and [[Millenarianism\|millenarian]] narratives.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–xi}}		Typical claims involve forced [[medical]] examinations that emphasize the subject's [[reproductive systems]].<ref name="medicaldiff">Miller, John G. "Medical Procedural Differences: Alien Versus Human." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 59–64.</ref> Abductees sometimes claim to have been warned against [[Human impact on the environment\|environmental abuses]] and the dangers of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref name="rarerepisodes" /> or to have engaged in [[Hybrid (biology)\|interspecies breeding]].<ref name="Östling 2021">{{cite book \|author-last=Östling \|author-first=Erik A. W. \|year=2021 \|chapter='I Figured That in My Dreams, I Remembered What Actually Happened': On Abduction Narratives as Emergent Folklore \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 \|editor-last=Zeller \|editor-first=Ben \|title=Handbook of UFO Religions \|location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] \|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] \|series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion \|volume=20 \|doi=10.1163/9789004435537_010 \|isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 \|issn=1874-6691 \|pages=197–232\|s2cid=236709574 }}</ref> The contents of the abduction narrative often seem to vary with the home culture of the alleged abductee.<ref name="skepticalperspective">Sheaffer, Robert. "A Skeptical Perspective on UFO Abductions." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 382–88.</ref> [[Unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), alien abduction, and [[Brainwashing\|mind control]] plots can also be part of radical political [[Apocalypticism\|apocalyptic]] and [[Millenarianism\|millenarian]] narratives.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–xi}}

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← Previous revision		Revision as of 03:04, 19 June 2025
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	'''Alien abduction''' (also called '''abduction phenomenon''', '''alien abduction syndrome''', or '''UFO abduction''') refers to the phenomenon of people reporting what they ~~believe~~ to be the real experience of being [[Kidnapping\|kidnapped]] by [[Extraterrestrial life\|extraterrestrial beings]] and subjected to physical and psychological experimentation.<ref>[[Stuart Appelle\|Appelle, Stuart]]. "The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence". ''Journal of UFO Studies'', n.s. 6, 1995/96, pp. 29–78</ref> People claiming to have been abducted are usually called "abductees"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alien+abduction\|title=Alien abduction – Define Alien abduction at Dictionary.com\|work=Dictionary.com}}</ref> or "experiencers". Most scientists and mental health professionals explain these experiences by factors such as [[suggestibility]] (e.g. [[false memory syndrome]]), [[sleep paralysis]], [[deception]], and [[psychopathology]].<ref name="Appelle, 1996">Appelle, 1996</ref> Skeptic [[Robert Sheaffer]] sees similarity between some of the aliens described by abductees and those depicted in [[science fiction film]]s, in particular ''[[Invaders from Mars (1953 film)\|Invaders From Mars]]'' (1953).<ref name="skepticalperspective" />		'''Alien abduction''' (also called '''abduction phenomenon''', '''alien abduction syndrome''', or '''UFO abduction''') refers to the phenomenon of people reporting what they assure to be the real experience of being [[Kidnapping\|kidnapped]] by [[Extraterrestrial life\|extraterrestrial beings]] and subjected to physical and psychological experimentation.<ref>[[Stuart Appelle\|Appelle, Stuart]]. "The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence". ''Journal of UFO Studies'', n.s. 6, 1995/96, pp. 29–78</ref> People claiming to have been abducted are usually called "abductees"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alien+abduction\|title=Alien abduction – Define Alien abduction at Dictionary.com\|work=Dictionary.com}}</ref> or "experiencers". Most scientists and mental health professionals explain these experiences by factors such as [[suggestibility]] (e.g. [[false memory syndrome]]), [[sleep paralysis]], [[deception]], and [[psychopathology]].<ref name="Appelle, 1996">Appelle, 1996</ref> Skeptic [[Robert Sheaffer]] sees similarity between some of the aliens described by abductees and those depicted in [[science fiction film]]s, in particular ''[[Invaders from Mars (1953 film)\|Invaders From Mars]]'' (1953).<ref name="skepticalperspective" />

	Typical claims involve forced [[medical]] examinations that emphasize the subject's [[reproductive systems]].<ref name="medicaldiff">Miller, John G. "Medical Procedural Differences: Alien Versus Human." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 59–64.</ref> Abductees sometimes claim to have been warned against [[Human impact on the environment\|environmental abuses]] and the dangers of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref name="rarerepisodes" /> or to have engaged in [[Hybrid (biology)\|interspecies breeding]].<ref name="Östling 2021">{{cite book \|author-last=Östling \|author-first=Erik A. W. \|year=2021 \|chapter='I Figured That in My Dreams, I Remembered What Actually Happened': On Abduction Narratives as Emergent Folklore \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 \|editor-last=Zeller \|editor-first=Ben \|title=Handbook of UFO Religions \|location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] \|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] \|series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion \|volume=20 \|doi=10.1163/9789004435537_010 \|isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 \|issn=1874-6691 \|pages=197–232\|s2cid=236709574 }}</ref> The contents of the abduction narrative often seem to vary with the home culture of the alleged abductee.<ref name="skepticalperspective">Sheaffer, Robert. "A Skeptical Perspective on UFO Abductions." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 382–88.</ref> [[Unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), alien abduction, and [[Brainwashing\|mind control]] plots can also be part of radical political [[Apocalypticism\|apocalyptic]] and [[Millenarianism\|millenarian]] narratives.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–xi}}		Typical claims involve forced [[medical]] examinations that emphasize the subject's [[reproductive systems]].<ref name="medicaldiff">Miller, John G. "Medical Procedural Differences: Alien Versus Human." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 59–64.</ref> Abductees sometimes claim to have been warned against [[Human impact on the environment\|environmental abuses]] and the dangers of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref name="rarerepisodes" /> or to have engaged in [[Hybrid (biology)\|interspecies breeding]].<ref name="Östling 2021">{{cite book \|author-last=Östling \|author-first=Erik A. W. \|year=2021 \|chapter='I Figured That in My Dreams, I Remembered What Actually Happened': On Abduction Narratives as Emergent Folklore \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 \|editor-last=Zeller \|editor-first=Ben \|title=Handbook of UFO Religions \|location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] \|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] \|series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion \|volume=20 \|doi=10.1163/9789004435537_010 \|isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 \|issn=1874-6691 \|pages=197–232\|s2cid=236709574 }}</ref> The contents of the abduction narrative often seem to vary with the home culture of the alleged abductee.<ref name="skepticalperspective">Sheaffer, Robert. "A Skeptical Perspective on UFO Abductions." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 382–88.</ref> [[Unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), alien abduction, and [[Brainwashing\|mind control]] plots can also be part of radical political [[Apocalypticism\|apocalyptic]] and [[Millenarianism\|millenarian]] narratives.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–xi}}
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	# '''Tour'''. The abductees are given a tour of their captors' vessel, though this is disputed by some researchers who consider this definition a confabulation of intent when just apparently being taken around to multiple places inside the ship.		# '''Tour'''. The abductees are given a tour of their captors' vessel, though this is disputed by some researchers who consider this definition a confabulation of intent when just apparently being taken around to multiple places inside the ship.
	# '''Loss of Time'''. Abductees often rapidly forget the majority of their experience, either as a result of fear, medical intervention, or both.		# '''Loss of Time'''. Abductees often rapidly forget the majority of their experience, either as a result of fear, medical intervention, or both.
	# '''Return'''. The abductees are returned to earth, occasionally in a different ~~location~~ from ~~where~~ they were allegedly taken or with new injuries or disheveled clothing.		# '''Return'''. The abductees are returned to earth, occasionally to a location different from the one from which they were allegedly taken, or with new injuries or disheveled clothing.
	# '''[[Theophany]]'''. Coinciding with their immediate return, abductees may have a profound sense of love, a "high" similar to those induced by certain drugs, or a "mystical experience", accompanied by a feeling of oneness with God, the universe, or their abductors. Whether this is the result of a metaphysical change, [[Stockholm syndrome]], or prior medical tampering is often not scrutinized by the abductees at the time.		# '''[[Theophany]]'''. Coinciding with their immediate return, abductees may have a profound sense of love, a "high" similar to those induced by certain drugs, or a "mystical experience", accompanied by a feeling of oneness with God, the universe, or their abductors. Whether this is the result of a metaphysical change, [[Stockholm syndrome]], or prior medical tampering is often not scrutinized by the abductees at the time.
	# '''Aftermath'''. The abductee must cope with the psychological, physical, and social effects of the experience.		# '''Aftermath'''. The abductee must cope with the psychological, physical, and social effects of the experience.
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	* 1979: [[Robert Taylor incident]] (Scotland)		* 1979: [[Robert Taylor incident]] (Scotland)
	* 1970s–1980s: [[Whitley Strieber]] (US)		* 1970s–1980s: [[Whitley Strieber]] (US)
			* 1985: [[Robert Salas]] (US)
	* 1994: [[UFO sightings in China#1994\|Meng Zhaoguo incident]] (China)		* 1994: [[UFO sightings in China#1994\|Meng Zhaoguo incident]] (China)
	{{Div col end}}		{{Div col end}}
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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	*[https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv805708 R. Leo Sprinkle papers] at the [[University of Wyoming]] – [[American Heritage Center]]		*[https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv805708 R. Leo Sprinkle papers] at the [[University of Wyoming]] – [[American Heritage Center]]
	* Ballester-Olmos, V.J. and Heiden, Richard W. (Eds.), ''[https://www.academia.edu/101922617/The_Reliability_of_UFO_Witness_Testimony The Reliability of UFO Witness Testimony]''. UPIAR, Turin, Italy (2023). ~~<nowiki>~~ISBN ~~9791281441002</nowiki>.~~		* Ballester-Olmos, V.J. and Heiden, Richard W. (Eds.), ''[https://www.academia.edu/101922617/The_Reliability_of_UFO_Witness_Testimony The Reliability of UFO Witness Testimony]''. UPIAR, Turin, Italy (2023). {{ISBN\|979-12-81441-00-2}}

	{{UFOs}}		{{UFOs}}

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← Previous revision		Revision as of 21:27, 15 December 2025
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	'''Alien abduction''' (also called '''abduction phenomenon''', '''alien abduction syndrome''', or '''UFO abduction''') ~~refers to~~ the phenomenon of people reporting ~~what~~ they ~~claim to be the real experience of being~~ [[Kidnapping\|kidnapped]] by [[Extraterrestrial life\|extraterrestrial beings]] and subjected to physical and psychological experimentation.<ref>[[Stuart Appelle\|Appelle, Stuart]]. "The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence". ''Journal of UFO Studies'', n.s. 6, 1995/96, pp. 29–78</ref> People claiming to have been abducted are usually called "abductees"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alien+abduction\|title=Alien abduction – Define Alien abduction at Dictionary.com\|work=Dictionary.com}}</ref> or "experiencers". Most scientists and mental health professionals explain these experiences by factors such as [[suggestibility]] (e.g. [[false memory syndrome]]), [[sleep paralysis]], [[deception]], and [[psychopathology]].<ref name="Appelle, 1996">Appelle, 1996</ref> Skeptic [[Robert Sheaffer]] sees similarity between some of the aliens described by abductees and those depicted in [[science fiction film]]s, in particular ''[[Invaders from Mars (1953 film)\|Invaders From Mars]]'' (1953).<ref name="skepticalperspective" />		'''Alien abduction''' (also called '''abduction phenomenon''', '''alien abduction syndrome''', or '''UFO abduction''') is the phenomenon claimed by people reporting that they or their patients have been [[Kidnapping\|kidnapped]] by [[Extraterrestrial life\|extraterrestrial beings]] and subjected to physical and psychological experimentation.<ref>[[Stuart Appelle\|Appelle, Stuart]]. "The Abduction Experience: A Critical Evaluation of Theory and Evidence". ''Journal of UFO Studies'', n.s. 6, 1995/96, pp. 29–78</ref> People claiming to have been abducted are usually called "abductees"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alien+abduction\|title=Alien abduction – Define Alien abduction at Dictionary.com\|work=Dictionary.com}}</ref> or "experiencers". Most scientists and mental health professionals explain these experiences by factors such as [[suggestibility]] (e.g. [[false memory syndrome]]), [[sleep paralysis]], [[deception]], and [[psychopathology]].<ref name="Appelle, 1996">Appelle, 1996</ref> Skeptic [[Robert Sheaffer]] sees similarity between some of the aliens described by abductees and those depicted in [[science fiction film]]s, in particular ''[[Invaders from Mars (1953 film)\|Invaders From Mars]]'' (1953).<ref name="skepticalperspective" />

	Typical claims involve forced [[medical]] examinations that emphasize the subject's [[reproductive systems]].<ref name="medicaldiff">Miller, John G. "Medical Procedural Differences: Alien Versus Human." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 59–64.</ref> Abductees sometimes claim to have been warned against [[Human impact on the environment\|environmental abuses]] and the dangers of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref name="rarerepisodes" /> or to have engaged in [[Hybrid (biology)\|interspecies breeding]].<ref name="Östling 2021">{{cite book \|author-last=Östling \|author-first=Erik A. W. \|year=2021 \|chapter='I Figured That in My Dreams, I Remembered What Actually Happened': On Abduction Narratives as Emergent Folklore \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 \|editor-last=Zeller \|editor-first=Ben \|title=Handbook of UFO Religions \|location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] \|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] \|series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion \|volume=20 \|doi=10.1163/9789004435537_010 \|isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 \|issn=1874-6691 \|pages=197–232\|s2cid=236709574 }}</ref> The contents of the abduction narrative often seem to vary with the home culture of the alleged abductee.<ref name="skepticalperspective">Sheaffer, Robert. "A Skeptical Perspective on UFO Abductions." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 382–88.</ref> [[Unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), alien abduction, and [[Brainwashing\|mind control]] plots can also be part of radical political [[Apocalypticism\|apocalyptic]] and [[Millenarianism\|millenarian]] narratives.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–xi}}		Typical claims involve forced [[medical]] examinations that emphasize the subject's [[reproductive systems]].<ref name="medicaldiff">Miller, John G. "Medical Procedural Differences: Alien Versus Human." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 59–64.</ref> Abductees sometimes claim to have been warned against [[Human impact on the environment\|environmental abuses]] and the dangers of [[nuclear weapons]],<ref name="rarerepisodes" /> or to have engaged in [[Hybrid (biology)\|interspecies breeding]].<ref name="Östling 2021">{{cite book \|author-last=Östling \|author-first=Erik A. W. \|year=2021 \|chapter='I Figured That in My Dreams, I Remembered What Actually Happened': On Abduction Narratives as Emergent Folklore \|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkswEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 \|editor-last=Zeller \|editor-first=Ben \|editor-link=Benjamin E. Zeller \|title=Handbook of UFO Religions \|location=[[Leiden]] and [[Boston]] \|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] \|series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion \|volume=20 \|doi=10.1163/9789004435537_010 \|isbn=978-90-04-43437-0 \|issn=1874-6691 \|pages=197–232\|s2cid=236709574 }}</ref> The contents of the abduction narrative often seem to vary with the home culture of the alleged abductee.<ref name="skepticalperspective">Sheaffer, Robert. "A Skeptical Perspective on UFO Abductions." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. pp. 382–88.</ref> [[Unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs), alien abduction, and [[Brainwashing\|mind control]] plots can also be part of radical political [[Apocalypticism\|apocalyptic]] and [[Millenarianism\|millenarian]] narratives.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–xi}}

	Reports of the abduction phenomenon have been made all around the world, but are most common in [[English-speaking world\|English-speaking countries]], especially the [[United States]].<ref name="skepticalperspective"/> The first alleged alien abduction claim to be widely publicized was the [[Betty and Barney Hill abduction]] in 1961.<ref name=time>{{cite news\|title=Testament for Believers\|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828455,00.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121162039/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828455,00.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 21, 2007}}</ref> UFO abduction claims have declined since their initial surge in the mid-1970s, and alien abduction narratives have found less popularity in [[mainstream media]]. Skeptic [[Michael Shermer]] proposed that the ubiquity of [[camera phone]]s increases the burden of evidence for such claims and may be a cause for their decline.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McRobbieJune 12 \|first1=Linda Rodriguez \|title=Why alien abductions are down dramatically - The Boston Globe \|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2016/06/11/why-alien-abductions-are-down-dramatically/qQ3zdBIc2tLAf3LVms8GLP/story.html \|work=BostonGlobe.com}}</ref>		Reports of the abduction phenomenon have been made all around the world, but are most common in [[English-speaking world\|English-speaking countries]], especially the [[United States]].<ref name="skepticalperspective"/> The first alleged alien abduction claim to be widely publicized was the [[Betty and Barney Hill abduction]] in 1961.<ref name=time>{{cite news\|title=Testament for Believers\|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828455,00.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121162039/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828455,00.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=November 21, 2007}}</ref> UFO abduction claims have declined since their initial surge in the mid-1970s, and alien abduction narratives have found less popularity in [[mainstream media]]. Skeptic [[Michael Shermer]] proposed that the ubiquity of [[camera phone]]s increases the burden of evidence for such claims and may be a cause for their decline.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McRobbieJune 12 \|first1=Linda Rodriguez \|title=Why alien abductions are down dramatically - The Boston Globe \|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2016/06/11/why-alien-abductions-are-down-dramatically/qQ3zdBIc2tLAf3LVms8GLP/story.html \|work=BostonGlobe.com}}</ref>
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	== Abductees ==		== Abductees ==
	~~{{Main\|Alien abduction claimants}}~~

	The precise number of alleged abductees is uncertain. One of the earliest studies of abductions found 1,700 claimants, while contested [[Statistical survey\|surveys]] argued that 5–6 percent of the general population allege to have been abducted.<ref name="Appelle, 1996" />		The precise number of alleged abductees is uncertain. One of the earliest studies of abductions found 1,700 claimants, while contested [[Statistical survey\|surveys]] argued that 5–6 percent of the general population allege to have been abducted.<ref name="Appelle, 1996" />
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	{{See also\|UFO conspiracy theory\|Ancient astronauts\|UFO religion}}		{{See also\|UFO conspiracy theory\|Ancient astronauts\|UFO religion}}

	Political scientist [[Michael Barkun]], without taking a position on if UFOs and aliens are real, highlighted links between radical politics and conspiracy theories involving UFOs, alien visitation, environmental pollution, hidden groups, government and world takeover.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–x}} He observed the rise of a form of eclectic and apocalyptic millenarism which he termed "improvisional millenarism".{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=xi, 10}} UFO and abduction stories can often be part of stigmatized or suppressed knowledge narratives, where alleged orthodoxy is claimed to be maintained in error for nefarious purposes and to keep society in ignorance.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=26–27}} UFO and alien-related conspiracy theories emerged in far-right politics from the 1980s onwards.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=88}}		Political scientist [[Michael Barkun]], without taking a position on if UFOs and aliens are real, highlighted links between radical politics and conspiracy theories involving UFOs, alien visitation, environmental pollution, hidden groups, government and world takeover.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=ix–x}} He observed the rise of a form of eclectic and apocalyptic millenarism which he termed "improvisional millenarism".{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=xi, 10}} UFO and abduction stories can often be part of stigmatized or suppressed knowledge narratives, where alleged orthodoxy is claimed to be maintained in error for nefarious purposes and to keep society in ignorance.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=26–27}} UFO and alien-related conspiracy theories emerged in far-right politics from the 1980s onwards.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=88}}

	According to Barkun, in popular culture, TV shows like ''[[The X-Files]]'' and its motion picture not only included aliens as part of coverup conspiracies, with militias and [[black helicopters]] but also featured [[FEMA camps conspiracy theory\|demonization of FEMA]], a common target of conspiracy theorists and millenarian scenarios.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=34}} One conspiracy theory alleges that FEMA plans to incarcerate "patriots" suddenly in concentration camps during a disaster.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=61}} Political scientist [[Jodi Dean]] noted that the stigma of alien abduction stories is seductive to dismiss "consensus reality" in favor of deviant alternative realities.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=35}}		According to Barkun, in popular culture, TV shows like ''[[The X-Files]]'' and its motion picture not only included aliens as part of coverup conspiracies, with militias and [[black helicopters]] but also featured [[FEMA camps conspiracy theory\|demonization of FEMA]], a common target of conspiracy theorists and millenarian scenarios.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=34}} One conspiracy theory alleges that FEMA plans to incarcerate "patriots" suddenly in concentration camps during a disaster.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=61}} Political scientist [[Jodi Dean]] noted that the stigma of alien abduction stories is seductive to dismiss "consensus reality" in favor of deviant alternative realities.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|p=35}}

	Self-described abduction victims often join self-help communities of victims and may resort to questionable [[regression therapy]], similarly to other self-reported victims of child sexual abuse or [[satanic ritual abuse]]. Some espouse conspiracy theories of sophisticated technological mind control, including the use of implants, to force them to serve an alleged [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)\|New World Order]], or for the purposes of the [[antichrist]], considering it important to warn the world of such imminent danger.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=76–78, 85}}		Self-described abduction victims often join self-help communities of victims and may resort to questionable [[regression therapy]], similarly to other self-reported victims of child sexual abuse or [[satanic ritual abuse]]. Some espouse conspiracy theories of sophisticated technological mind control, including the use of implants, to force them to serve an alleged [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)\|New World Order]], or for the purposes of the [[antichrist]], considering it important to warn the world of such imminent danger.{{sfn\|Barkun\|2003\|pp=76–78, 85}}

	== Abduction narrative ==		== Abduction narrative ==
	{{Main\|Narrative of the abduction phenomenon}}		{{Main\|Narrative of the abduction phenomenon}}

	Various researchers have noted common points in report narratives. According to [[Center for UFO Studies\|CUFOS]]'s definition of ''abductee'', the person must have been taken against their will by apparent non-human beings, taken to a special place perceived as extraterrestrial or to be a spaceship. They then must experience being subjected to an examination or to engage in some form of communication with the beings (or both). Communication may be perceived as telepathic rather than verbal. The memory of the experience may be conscious or [[Repressed memory\|"recovered"]] through means like hypnosis.<ref name="whoisanabductee">Rodeghier, Mark. "Who is an Abductee? A Set of Selection Criteria for Abductees." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. p. 22.</ref>		Various researchers have noted common points in report narratives. According to [[Center for UFO Studies\|CUFOS]]'s definition of ''abductee'', the person must have been taken against their will by apparent non-human beings, taken to a special place perceived as extraterrestrial or to be a spaceship. They then must experience being subjected to an examination or to engage in some form of communication with the beings (or both). Communication may be perceived as telepathic rather than verbal. The memory of the experience may be conscious or [[Repressed memory\|"recovered"]] through means like hypnosis.<ref name="whoisanabductee">Rodeghier, Mark. "Who is an Abductee? A Set of Selection Criteria for Abductees." In: Pritchard, Andrea & Pritchard, David E. & Mack, John E. & Kasey, Pam & Yapp, Claudia. ''Alien Discussions: Proceedings of the Abduction Study Conference''. Cambridge: North Cambridge Press, 1994. p. 22.</ref>

	Although different cases vary in detail (sometimes significantly), some UFO researchers, such as folklorist Thomas E. Bullard<ref>his essay is reprinted in [[Jerome Clark\|Clark]] 1998</ref> argue that there is a broad, fairly consistent sequence and description of events that make up the typical "[[close encounter]] of the fourth kind" (a popular but unofficial designation building on [[J. Allen Hynek]]'s classifications). Though the features outlined below are often reported, there is some disagreement as to exactly how often they actually occur.		Although different cases vary in detail (sometimes significantly), some UFO researchers, such as folklorist Thomas E. Bullard<ref>his essay is reprinted in [[Jerome Clark\|Clark]] 1998</ref> argue that there is a broad, fairly consistent sequence and description of events that make up the typical "[[close encounter]] of the fourth kind" (a popular but unofficial designation building on [[J. Allen Hynek]]'s classifications). Though the features outlined below are often reported, there is some disagreement as to exactly how often they actually occur.
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	[[Category:Alien abduction\| ]]		[[Category:Alien abduction\| ]]
	[[Category:Alleged extraterrestrial visitation\|abduction]]		[[Category:Alleged extraterrestrial visitation\|abduction]]
			[[Category:Human intelligence (information gathering)]]
	[[Category:Kidnapping in folklore]]		[[Category:Kidnapping in folklore]]
	[[Category:Supernatural urban legends]]		[[Category:Supernatural urban legends]]
	[[Category:UFO conspiracy theories]]		[[Category:UFO conspiracy theories]]
	[[Category:UFO-related phenomena]]		[[Category:UFO-related phenomena]]