On the Adaptive Value of Paranormal Beliefs - a Qualitative Study

Abstract

Ten female and five male participants (age range 28–50 years) were recruited at esoteric fairs or via esoteric chatrooms. In a guided face-to-face interview, they reported origins and contents of their beliefs in e.g. esoteric practices, supernatural beings, rebirthing, channeling. Transcripts of the tape-recorded reports were subjected to a qualitative analysis. Exhaustive categorization of the narratives’ content revealed that paranormal beliefs were functional with regard to two fundamental motives – striving for mastery and valuing me and mine (striving for a positive evaluation of the self). Moreover, paranormal beliefs paved the way for goal-setting and leading a meaningful life but, on the negative side, could also result in social exclusion. Results are discussed with reference to the adaptive value of paranormal beliefs.

Paranormal belief and well-being: The moderating roles of transliminality and psychopathology-related facets

“…Further support for the beneficial effects of paranormal belief was provided by Betsch et al (2021) , who observed that paranormal belief played a positive role in the development of self-concept. Analysis of interview narratives revealed that beliefs provided subjective, generic theories of the world that helped individuals to identify the purpose of their lives.…”

“…Whereas in other instances, paranormal endorsement reflects negative psychological states such as anxiety and ontological confusions (i.e., confounding core aspects of reality; conflation of mental with physical phenomena; Lindeman et al, 2015 ). Moreover, when beliefs are challenged and refuted by others they can be detrimental to self ( Betsch et al, 2021 ).…”

Paranormal beliefs and individual differences: story seeking without reasoned review

“…We included only those variables in the current study which significantly correlated with paranormal belief in the pre-studies. Those were the Big Six (Honesty/Humility, Emotionality, 1 There are a number of additional factors that foster paranormal beliefs, e.g., experiences (Fach et al, 2013), attribution (Irwin et al, 2013;Lange et al, 2019), functional aspects such as fear reduction (Lange and Houran, 1999), increasing mastery of the situation, and enhancing self-evaluation (Betsch et al, 2020). These factors, however, are beyond the focus of this study.…”

“…In social psychology, three general motivational principles are considered ubiquitous and of fundamental importance in driving human behavior: Striving for mastery, seeking connectedness, and valuing me and mine (e.g., Smith and Mackie, 2000). Based on results from a qualitative study, Betsch et al (2020) found that paranormal beliefs were functional with regard to two fundamental motives, striving for mastery and valuing me and mine. Moreover, paranormal beliefs and their corresponding experiences help the individual to set behavioral goals and lead a meaningful life.…”

Resting-State Electroencephalogram (EEG) Coherence Over Frontal Regions in Paranormal Beliefs

“…Paranormal belief is described as a belief in psychological, biological, or physical phenomena assuming the existence of core/basic ontological characteristics of other ontological categories. Thus, physical and biological phenomena may have psychological core characteristics (such as intentionality, desires, and beliefs) ( Betsch, Jäckel, Hammes, & Brinkmann, 2021 ). It is also likely that physical and mental phenomena have the main characteristics of biological organisms (such as contamination, healing, and living).…”