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A Majority Already Believes in the Paranormal: Roots, Dynamics, and Ramifications of a Growing Phenomenon
La Mayoría ya Cree en lo Paranormal: Raíces, Dinámica y Ramificaciones de un Fenómeno en Crecimiento
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v35n2.117001Keywords:
Paranormal belief, personality, schizotypy, cognitive bias, religiosity (en)Creencia en lo paranormal, personalidad, esquizotipia, sesgo cognitivo, religiosidad (es)
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This paper examines the predominant perspectives in the literature on the etiology and sustenance of paranormal belief. A sample of 250 participants was used to analyze a series of variables representing the primary theoretical frameworks and develop an integrative model of paranormal belief. The 62% of the subjects held paranormal beliefs. Through linear regression analysis, it was found that subjective paranormal experiences were the best predictor of paranormal belief, with a standardized coefficient of .26 (p<.001), followed by openness to experience (.18, p=.002), unusual experiences (.18, p=.002), religiosity (.14, p=.016), and probabilistic reasoning (-.13, p=.021). These results suggest that paranormal belief is a multicausal phenomenon influenced by diverse factors. Finally, a model is proposed to explain the development and sustenance of paranormal beliefs, highlighting the importance of considering the context and practical implications of holding such beliefs.
Este artículo examina las perspectivas predominantes en la literatura sobre la etiología y el sustento de las creencias paranormales. Se utilizó una muestra de 250 participantes para analizar una serie de variables que representan los marcos teóricos principales y desarrollar un modelo integrador de las creencias paranormales. El 62 % de los sujetos tenía creencias paranormales. Mediante un análisis de regresión lineal, se descubrió que las experiencias paranormales subjetivas eran el mejor indicador de la creencia en lo paranormal, con un coeficiente estandarizado de 0,26 (p < 0,001), seguidas de la apertura a la experiencia (0,18, p = 0,002), las experiencias inusuales (0,18, p = 0,002), la religiosidad (0,14, p = 0,016) y el razonamiento probabilístico (-0,13, p = 0,021). Estos resultados sugieren que la creencia en lo paranormal es un fenómeno multicausal influenciado por diversos factores. Por último, se propone un modelo para explicar el desarrollo y el mantenimiento de las creencias paranormales, destacando la importancia de considerar el contexto y las implicaciones prácticas de tener tales creencias.
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