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Paranormal Belief and Biases in Reasoning Underlying the Formation of Delusions

Harvey J Irwin, Neil Dagnall, Kenneth Drinkwater

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Some recent research suggests that psychological processes underlying the formation of paranormal beliefs have much in common with those underlying delusional beliefs. On this ground a survey was conducted to investigate the relationship between paranormal beliefs and distortions in reasoning known to be associated with the development of psychotic delusions. A convenience sample of 250 people completed an online inventory of questionnaires measuring the intensity of paranormal beliefs, schizotypal biases in reasoning, and the need for closure. Both dimensions of paranormal belief surveyed here were found to be predicted by reasoning biases.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)7-21
    JournalAustralian Journal of Parapsychology
    Volume12
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Keywords

    • Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
    • Psychology

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