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Perceptual Processing in Paranormal Beliefs: A Study of Reaction Time and Bias

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. student of cognitive science, Shahid Beheshti University

2 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Kurdistan University

3 Associate Professor, Faculty of Psychology, University of Tehran

Abstract

Introduction: The present study intended to examine the rate of reaction and bias in the perceptual processing associated to paranormal beliefs. Paranormal beliefs are strongly correlated to perceptual biases for detecting illusory patterns, for instance. Perceptual processing and biases are strongly influenced by prior expectations and learning experiences. Methods: A convenient sample of 32 university students (23 male) were recruited for the experiment and were measured by a computerized face/house recognition task and Paranormal Belief Questionnaire (Blackmore & Moore, 1994). Results: The result of ANOVA showed a significant difference between groups with severe and moderain paranormal belief. Therefore, the results showed a significant difference between groups in perceptual-bias and reaction time in relation to paranormal belief. Conclusion: Paranormal beliefs influence the reaction time and perceptual processing.

Keywords

References

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Social Cognition
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 12
February 2018
Pages 113-124
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