Date of Award
8-1998
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. R. Wayne Fuqua
Second Advisor
Dr. Alan Poling
Third Advisor
Dr. Kevin Armstrong
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
One aspect of human behavior that is of interest to psychology deals with the types of beliefs that people hold. It is necessary to look at the beliefs themselves, in addition to the basis for these beliefs. We are bombarded with information given to us via the news media through various sources. It is important to look at this information in a critical light considering there may be motivation on the part of others to express views or ideas that are not necessarily true, or necessarily supported by valid facts. Many television shows as well as news shows are focusing a great deal of attention on paranormal and extraterrestrial occurrences. The way in which the public views this information is reflected in their answers to a questionnaire developed to reveal the extent of their belief as well as the basis for their beliefs. A pre-test, post-test design was used to assess the beliefs of a group of 95 undergraduate students. The students were divided into three groups, and in two of the groups, an attempt to alter beliefs was made.
It was found the video intervention that was used showed a slight increase in belief in the targeted areas (extraterrestrial and paranormal). An analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference in the mean beliefs of any of the three groups. Correlations between questions and religious beliefs were also calculated.
Recommended Citation
Berri, Nicole I., "Belief in Phenomena that are Supported, and are not Supported by Science: Assessment and Intervention" (1998). Masters Theses. 3564.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3564