The Structure of Paranormal Belief: A Factor-Analytic Investigation

Abstract

We factor analyzed the responses of 784 subjects to a seventy-five-item paranormal belief questionnaire. Principle components analysis extracted four components which were subjected to alpha factoring with oblique and orthogonal rotations. An oblique solution was judged as most appropriate based on the factor correlation matrix. A higher order factor analysis yielded one common underlying factor. The results are discussed with respect to previous factor analyses of paranormal belief questionnaires by Jones, Russell, and Nickel [1], and Tobacyk and Milford [2].

The Implicit Relationship Between Religious and Paranormal Constructs

“…With the dimensionality of religious and nonreligious supernatural beliefs still in question (Johnston, De Groot, and Spanos 1995;Rice 2003), further specification of implicit associations could prove particularly informative. For example, one drawback to previous research has been that aspects of the paranormal have routinely been lumped together in their comparison to mainstream religious beliefs.…”

“…Research has clearly demonstrated, however, that at the very least, the variety of supernatural concepts make up multiple independent factors, which correlate differently with religious beliefs. For example, Johnston, De Groot, and Spanos (1995) found adherence to religious beliefs showed a significant positive correlation to paranormal beliefs (e.g., astrology, magic, witchcraft, etc. ), but did not significantly correlate with general superstitious beliefs or belief in extraordinary life forms.…”

“…Simply put, individuals who accept one type of supernatural phenomena should more easily accept others. Researchers have produced findings that support such a claim (e.g., Johnston, De Groot, and Spanos 1995;MacDonald 1995), demonstrating that endorsement of religious beliefs positively correlates with beliefs in paranormal phenomena. For example, Orenstein (2002) reports that, in a sample of 1,750 Canadians, adherence to religious beliefs was associated with greater belief in extrasensory perception (ESP), astrology, and psychic powers among other paranormal phenomena.…”

Development of a Chinese Superstitious Belief Scale

“…although superstitious beliefs constitute a long-standing research topic in psychological literature (malinowski, 1954;Jahoda, 1969;Johnston, de groot, & spanos, 1995;vyse, 1997;Rudski, 2003), most studies have been conducted in Western developed countries. However, different cultures cultivate unique values and ideas, so superstitions may take different forms and influences (Ouédraogo & Mullet, 2001).…”

“…some researchers include religion within the definition (Jahoda, 1969), and others consider superstitions distinctive from other paranormal beliefs. In this sense, the terms "paranormal" or "unconventional" beliefs encompass more supernatural concepts than does "superstition," including belief in religion, extraordinary life forms, psychic abilities, and others (tobacyk & milford, 1983;grimmer & White, 1992;Johnston, et al, 1995;hergovich, 2003;hergovich & arendasy, 2005). that is, superstition was just one of the paranormal beliefs.…”