On the Adaptive Value of Paranormal Beliefs - a Qualitative Study

Betsch, Tilmann; Jäckel, Paul; Hammes, Mareike

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%T On the Adaptive Value of Paranormal Beliefs - a Qualitative Study
%A Betsch, Tilmann
%A Jäckel, Paul
%A Hammes, Mareike
%J Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science
%N 2
%P 318-328
%V 55
%D 2021
%K Allgemeine Bevölkerungsumfrage der Sozialwissenschaften ALLBUS 2012 (ZA4614 v1.1.1); paranormality; mastery; self; meaning
%@ 1936-3567
%~ FDB
%> https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-84490-3
%X Ten female and five male participants (age range 28-50 years) were recruited at esoteric fairs or via esoteric chatrooms. In a guided face-to-face interview, they reported origins and contents of their beliefs in e.g. esoteric practices, supernatural beings, rebirthing, channeling. Transcripts of the tape-recorded reports were subjected to a qualitative analysis. Exhaustive categorization of the narratives' content revealed that paranormal beliefs were functional with regard to two fundamental motives - striving for mastery and valuing me and mine (striving for a positive evaluation of the self). Moreover, paranormal beliefs paved the way for goal-setting and leading a meaningful life but, on the negative side, could also result in social exclusion. Results are discussed with reference to the adaptive value of paranormal beliefs.
%C USA
%G en
%9 Zeitschriftenartikel
%W GESIS - http://www.gesis.org
%~ SSOAR - http://www.ssoar.info