| Abstract/Results: | ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES:
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 includes a wider range of beliefs (i.e., haunting/poltergeist activity and extraterrestrials).
METHOD:
An extensive literature review was conducted: to explore existing measures, identify important facets of paranormal belief, and determine scale content. This produced a 124 item self-report measure containing statements from several existing scales (e.g., R-PBS and Australian Sheep-Goat Scale) and newly constructed items (haunting/poltergeist activity, extraterrestrials, etc.). The measure was distributed in paper form and was also 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
from 14 to 70 years.
RESULTS:
Exploratory factor analysis, principal component analysis, was performed and a promising nine factor structure emerged, accounting for 71% of the total variance. This contained item clusters measuring belief in: Hauntings (36%), Other Life (10%), Superstition (6%), Religious Belief (5%), Alien Visitation (4%), Extrasensory Perception (ESP) (3%), Psychokinesis (PK) (3%), Astrology (2%), and Witchcraft (2%).
CONCLUSIONS:
It is considered that the approach adopted in the present study, combining several extant measures of paranormal belief and supplementing these with additional items (where omissions were identified), has produced a potential structure for a revised measure of paranormal belief.
|
Novo ficheiro