Cognitive, morbid and premorbid factors in the development and maintenance of paranormal beliefs.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55414/1jvmcc11Keywords:
Paranormal beliefs, Cognitive morbid and premorbid factors, Theory of Compensation of Basic Needs (Russell & Jones, 1980) , Empirical studyAbstract
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.
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