Possession Apr 2026

Humans and other mammals possess an instinctive drive to control and protect resources like food, shelter, and offspring from potential predators [16].

In legal terms, possession is not always synonymous with ownership [19]. It is often defined as the physical occupancy or control over an object or property [19, 23]. Possession

Supernatural possession is often depicted as a malevolent entity inhabiting a human body, influencing their actions and thoughts [8, 12]. Humans and other mammals possess an instinctive drive

In horror and religious narratives, possession takes on a darker meaning: the total loss of autonomy to an external force [8, 12]. Supernatural possession is often depicted as a malevolent

This occurs when a person has direct physical control over an item, such as carrying a phone in their pocket [19, 17].

The theme has inspired iconic works, most notably A.S. Byatt’s novel Possession , which explores the "possession" academics feel toward their subjects and the power historical narratives hold over the present [26]. It highlights how we can be "possessed" by ideas, past loves, or intellectual pursuits [26, 29].

Grammatically, possession is how we signal relationships between people and things. It serves as a shorthand for "belonging to" or "associated with" [11, 27].