Recent research has suggested possible relationships between neuropsychological
functioning and belief in superstitious and paranormal phenomena. The prefrontal cortex
is of particular interest in this regard, as executive function and the mechanisms associated
with faulty reasoning ability may maintain superstitious and supernatural beliefs. The
present study investigated the relationship between executive function and superstitious
and paranormal beliefs, in order to examine the extent to which the executive function
abilities of individuals who subscribe to such beliefs differs from that of individuals who
do not believe in such phenomena. The sample consisted of 43 male and female university
students, between the ages of 21 and 28, from various ethnic groups. A non-experimental,
cross-sectional, between-subjects, correlational mixed methods design was employed.
Quantitative data was collected using a demographic questionnaire, a Modified
Paranormal Beliefs Scale, the Neuroticism subscale of the NEO PI-R and an executive
function and logical reasoning test battery. Qualitative data was collected by means of
interviews. Few significant correlations were found between demographic variables and
superstitious and paranormal beliefs, Neuroticism and executive function scores
respectively. Relationships between Neuroticism and superstitious and paranormal beliefs
were minimal. Both positive and negative correlations were found between superstitious
and paranormal beliefs and executive function scores, suggesting that other
neuropsychological factors may underlie illogical beliefs. Qualitative data revealed that
superstitious and paranormal beliefs were perpetuated because of their links to familial
environment and culture and beliefs assisted individuals in managing anxiety about the
unknown by instilling a sense of control over the future. These results suggest that other
neuropsychological mechanisms, such as emotion, may play a more significant role than
executive function in superstitious and paranormal beliefs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/12622 |
| Date | 04 April 2013 |
| Creators | Schneider, Candice |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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