Why do people believe in spirits?

Part of the reason many of us believe in ghosts simply comes down to the way our brains work, Barry Markovsky, a sociologist at the University of South Carolina, told Business Insider.

The human mind seeks patterns to make sense of ambiguous information. "Ghosts are almost always seen under ambiguous circumstances — such as in poor lighting, or when we're just waking up or falling asleep, when our senses are not at their peak function," Markovsky said.

People who believe in ghosts are often in situations where they're expecting to see them, such as in a "haunted" house, Markovsky added. In other words, if you're looking for something, you're more likely to find it.

Usually because they've seen or heard them in undeniable circumstances. Such as seeing a little boy walk across a brightly lit room and disappear into a wall. While we are wide awake.

Because they've had experiences with spirits. I didn't believe in them until my grandfather died. He passed away in his home. When he was alive, I would always go to my grandparents home and stay several nights there. I never once had a paranormal experience. But a year after my grandfather died I decided to stay the night there to keep my grandma company. It was that night when I had my first paranormal experience. I didn't tell anyone about it, because they either wouldn't take me seriously or they would think I'm going crazy.

A few months later my grandma tells me that she had the exact same experience in the room I was in. Keep in mind, she had no idea about my experience. That's how I knew it was real.

For the same reason some believe in Santa Claus; once they grow up this goes away

Because they are real

My personal favourites are scotch, jack Daniels and tequila.