Abstract/Results:
| ABSTRACT:
The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (R-PBS) (Tobacyk & Milford, 1983; Tobacyk, 1988) is currently the most widely used measure of paranormal belief. Despite this the content and structure of the R-PBS has been frequently criticised and the legitimacy of the scale as a satisfactory measure of paranormal belief has been questioned. The current study was conducted with the intention of developing an improved measure of paranormal belief, which addresses the weaknesses of the R-PBS, and which includes a wider range of beliefs (i.e., haunting/poltergeist activity and extraterrestrials). An extensive literature review was conducted: to explore existing measures, identify important facets of paranormal belief, and determine scale items. This produced a 124 item self-report measure containing items from several existing scales (e.g., R-PBS, Australian Sheep—Goat Scale) and newly constructed items (haunting/poltergeist activity, extraterrestrials, etc.). The measure was distributed in paper form and was available electronically to complete online. Respondents were recruited: face to face, by email and post. A sample of 1481 volunteer respondents completed the measure; 538 the paper version and 933 online. Female respondents constituted 75% of the sample and male 25%. The mean age was 27.44 years, ranging (ages ranging from 14 to 70 years). Exploratory factor analysis, principal component analysis, was performed and a promising nine factor structure emerged. Containing item clusters measuring belief in: Hauntings, Other Life, Superstition, Religious Belief, Alien Visitation, Extrasensory Perception (ESP), Psychokinesis (PK), Astrology, and Witchcraft.
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Reference:
| Dagnall, N., Munley, G., Higginson, S., & Parker, A. (2008). Factors underpinning paranormal belief [Unpublished document].
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