Cognitive, morbid and premorbid factors in the development and maintenance of paranormal beliefs.

Abstract

The literature shows a large number of theories and contributing factors in the development and maintenance of
paranormal beliefs. This study explores a series of variables related to the main perspectives in a sample of 184 subjects:
Schizotypy (rxy=0.23, p<0.001), unusual experiences (rxy=0.37, p<0.001), introvertive anhedonia (rxy=0.28, p<0.001),
conditional reasoning in tasks with paranormal content (rxy=0.23, p=0.001), need for affiliation (rxy=0.21, p<0.002), and
report of subjective extraordinary experiences (rxy=0.35, p<0.001) correlated significantly with belief in the paranormal.
These results are consistent with Russell and Jones’ (1980) Theory of Compensation of Basic Needs and suggest that
paranormal belief may rise in combination with premorbid signs of psychopathology. However, they suggest that belief
in the paranormal may not be a consequence of a cognitive deficit in this type of reasoning. An integrative model based
on a belief-experience feedback mechanism is suggested.