I think with the advances in science, people are more likely to try and explain the unexplained. When they can't they dismiss supernatural things, just for that reason.
I think also that children are spiritually more able to connect with the paranormal, but when they grow up in a family that negates the unexplained....they evetually close themsevles off to the idea of the paranormal/psychic experiences. I was lucky enough to have a family that believed in the paranormal, and it really opened up my mind to many experiences.
Through out history, the people, I think were more open to spiritual/paranormal activities, because science had not yet evolved to where it is today. I think will probably ever be able to catch up with the supernatural. It's like trying to measure a basketball, with a straight ruler.. It's just impossible. Way back when, people thought that the world was flat...of course we know now that it's not.....doesn't mean what science says is always true. Anyway, that's just my opinon...