SummaryThis study examines paranormal believers' susceptibility to the conjunction fallacy for confirmatory versus non‐confirmatory conjunctive events. Members of the UK public (N = 207) read 16 hypothetical vignettes before judging the likelihood that each constituent and their conjunction would (co) occur. Event type (paranormal versus non‐paranormal), outcome type (confirming versus disconfirming) and level of paranormal belief (in either extrasensory perception, psychokinesis or life after death)—plus relevant interaction terms—were entered into a linear mixed model analysis. As hypothesised, paranormal belief was associated with more conjunction errors regardless of event type with, in general, more errors made for confirmatory over disconfirmatory conjunctions. These trends existed for extrasensory perception and psychokinesis believers with those for life after death believers approaching significance. Consistent with Crupi and Tentori's Confirmation–Theoretical Framework, current findings suggest that paranormal believers are prone to a generic and confirmatory conjunction fallacy. Theoretical implications, methodological limitations and future research ideas are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This study examines the degree to which varieties of childhood maltreatment (in)directly predict adult paranormal and New Age worldviews. Mediation analyses were performed with maltreatment types serving as potential predictors, facets of fantasy proneness as potential mediators and aspects of adult paranormality (anomalous experiences, beliefs, abilities and fears) plus a general New Age orientation as five separate criteria measures. Several hypotheses were (partially) supported. First, child sexual abuse directly predicted more selfreported anomalous experiences, with parental threats of rejection directly predicting fewer anomalous fears in adulthood. Second, indirect relationships between childhood neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and instrumental parentification emerged for all criteria except anomalous fears, with these relationships mediated by at least one facet of fantasy proneness; either vivid/realistic and/or make-believe fantasizing. These findings are consistent with Irwin's (2009) Psychodynamic Functions Hypothesis; the notion that adult paranormality offers an adaptive, needs-serving mechanism for coping with sense of diminished control often stemming from childhood trauma. Contrary to Irwin's model, childhood physical abuse, emotional parentification and parental threats of both abandonment and punishment failed to predict any outcome measure either directly or via more pronounced fantasizing. Theoretical implications, methodological issues and ideas for future research are discussed. 01-12Rationale for exploring specific facets of fantasy proneness is added (cf. Reviewer 2). 01-07 --The above additions contrast with other feedback that the INTRODUCTION is too long (cf. Reviewer 1). In attempt to satisfy these conflicting viewpoints, the INTROCTION has been restructured and re-written for greater succinctness wherever possible. 11-14 11-09The mediation analysis subsection within RESULTS has been restructured for greater clarity and reduced "long-windedness" (cf. Reviewer 1).14-18 10-22 DISCUSSION is now better aligned to RESULTS, with the mixed nature of current findings highlighted (cf. Reviewer 3). Footnotes --A number of footnotes have been re-integrated into the main text else omitted (cf. PAID guidelines) Tables --The visual structure of Table 2 has been improved not through use of boldface (cf. Reviewer 1) but through simplification and use of blank rows. Tables 4 to 8 were not amended as boldface would have necessitated an even smaller font size.Tables --The range of n values in Table 2 has been re-checked and amended. This range reflects differences in the rate of missing values across the dichotomized and demographic (inter) correlations and is done for simplicity and brevity (cf. Reviewer 3). Similar reasoning applies to Tables 4 to 8. All --Citation errors have been amended whenever found (cf. Reviewer 1). All --The manuscript has been re-edited with any spelling and/or grammatical errors rectified. Dear Dr Vernon, Please find enclosed a revised copy of our paper "...

This study examines the extent to which belief in extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis (PK) or life after death (LAD), plus need for cognition (NFC) and faith in intuition (FI), predict the generation of confirmatory conjunction errors. An opportunity sample (n = 261) completed sixteen conjunction problems manipulated across a 2 event type (paranormal vs. non-paranormal) × 2 outcome type (confirmatory vs. disconfirmatory) within subjects design. Three Generalised Linear Mixed Models - one per paranormal belief type - were performed. With respondent gender and age controlled for, ESP, PK and LAD beliefs were all associated with the making (vs. non-making) of conjunction errors both generally and specifically for confirmatory conjunctive outcomes. Event type had no impact. Individuals high in NFC were less likely to commit the fallacy. The role thinking style plays in shaping paranormal believers' susceptibility to confirmatory conjunction biases is discussed. Methodological issues and future research ideas are also considered.

The present study examines the extent to which stronger belief in either extrasensory perception, psychokinesis or life-after-death is associated with a proneness to making conjunction errors (CEs). One hundred and sixty members of the UK public read eight hypothetical scenarios and for each estimated the likelihood that two constituent events alone plus their conjunction would occur. The impact of paranormal belief plus constituents' conditional relatedness type, estimates of the subjectively less likely and more likely constituents plus relevant interaction terms tested via three Generalized Linear Mixed Models. General qualification levels were controlled for. As expected, stronger PK beliefs and depiction of a positively conditionally related (verses conditionally unrelated) constituent pairs predicted higher CE generation. ESP and LAD beliefs had no impact with, surprisingly, higher estimates of the less likely constituent predicting fewer - not more - CEs. Theoretical implications, methodological issues and ideas for future research are discussed.

Plain English summaryThis paper reports on the use of a Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) approach to develop a new research tool to involve members of the community in thinking about priorities for early child health and development in a deprived area of the UK. The CEnR approach involves researchers, professionals and members of the public working together during all stages of research and development.Researchers used a phased approach to the development of a Photo Grid tool including reviewing tools which could be used for community engagement, and testing the new tool based on feedback from workshops with local early years professionals and parents of young children.The Photo Grid tool is a flat square grid on which photo cards can be placed. Participants were asked to pace at the top of the grid the photos they considered most important for early child health and development, working down to the less important ones at the bottom. The findings showed that the resulting Photo Grid tool was a useful and successful method of engaging with the local community. The evidence for this is the high numbers of participants who completed a pilot study and who provided feedback on the method. By involving community members throughout the research process, it was possible to develop a method that would be acceptable to the local population, thus decreasing the likelihood of a lack of engagement. The success of the tool is therefore particularly encouraging as it engages “seldom heard voices,” such as those with low literacy.AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this research was to consult with professionals and parents to develop a new research toolkit (Photo Grid), to understand community assets and priorities in relation to early child health and development in Blackpool, a socio-economic disadvantaged community. A Community–Engaged Research (CEnR) approach was used to consult with community members. This paper describes the process of using a CEnR approach in developing a Photo Grid toolkit.MethodsA phased CEnR approach was used to design, test and pilot a Photo Grid tool. Members of the Blackpool community; parents with children aged 0–4 years, health professionals, members of the early year’s workforce, and community development workers were involved in the development of the research tool at various stages. They were recruited opportunistically via a venue-based time-space sampling method. In total, 213 parents and 18 professionals engaged in the research process.ResultsUsing a CEnR approach allowed effective engagement with the local community and professionals, evidence by high levels of engagement throughout the development process. This approach improved the acceptability and usability of the resulting Photo Grid toolkit. Community members found the method accessible, engaging, useful, and thought provoking.ConclusionsThe Photo Grid toolkit was seen by community members as accessible, engaging, useful and thought provoking in an area of high social deprivation, complex problems, and low literacy. The Photo Grid is an ad...