Roe, C. A. and Bell, C. (2007) Paranormal belief, anxiety and perceived control over life events. In: Proceedings of the 50th Annual Parapsychological Association Convention. Parapsychological Association. pp. 102-112. [online]
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Abstract:
The psychodynamic functions hypothesis has been proposed as a means to explain the high levels of paranormal belief among the population. According to this view, the world
appears to some to be unpredictable, uncontrollable and inherently meaningless, which gives rise to anxiety. Paranormal beliefs may develop to allay this anxiety by offering the promise of order and personal power. Although there is some evidence to support the putative association
betweenthe three variables of perceived helplessness, anxiety and paranormal belief, these have not previously been considered together in the same population. Sixty-five participants completed a battery of measures including the State-Trait Anxiety Index (Spielberger, 1983), the Paranormal Belief Scale (Tobacyk, 1988) as well as newly constructed Estimated Likelihood of Stressful Events and Perceived Control over Stressful Events scales. No relationship was found between perceived control over future life events and paranormal belief, but measures of state and trait anxiety correlated significantly with both perceived control and paranormal belief. Results of a path analysis suggested a model that was broadly in agreement with the psychodynamic functions hypothesis in describing a mediating role for anxiety
Subjects:
Creators:
Roe, C. A. and Bell, C.
Publisher:
Parapsychological Association
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date:
2007
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 102-112
Title of Book:
Proceedings of the 50th Annual Parapsychological Association Convention
Event Title:
50th Annual Parapsychological Association Convention
Event Dates:
2-5 August 2007
Event Location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Event Type:
Conference
Language:
English
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
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