This study ujai desipned to determine tk efl'ecriueness of counreratritudinnl advocacy in overcumii~g beginning srudmts' e mneoui beliefs ahour psycholog~cal phenomena. Introductory psycholo@ srtdents (N = 71) eitkr wrote an essay (counteratt i t~d n a l advacacy) m r e d an essay supporting a scienrifically acceptable position contmq to one of t k i r heliefs. Writing a counterattitiulinal essay wnr more effective in changing stt~dents' beliefi than either reading such an essay or 1eamin.c about the topic through standard pedagogical techniques. The method of delivering instructional materials fknure vs. ten us. h t h lecture and text) made no sipnificanr diff~vence in t k elimination of m n e o u s kliefi.A survey of 1.236 adult Americans (Gallup & Newport. 1991) reported that 49% helieved in ESP and another 22% were not sure whether there is such a pllenomenon. The survey filnlier revealed that substantial percentages of the population either believe in or are unsure a b u t Inany phenomena for which there is little or n o scientific support, incluiling paranormal expl~mations of d6jA vu, subliminal perccprion, and the existence of extraterrestrial heings.
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