Belief in the paranormal and suggestion in the seance room

Bibliographic Data

ID5269101
AuthorsRichard Wiseman (0000-0001-8563-3533, University of Hertfordshire, corresponding author), Emma Greening (University of Hertfordshire), Matthew Smith (0000-0002-3430-2176), Matthew D Smith (0000-0002-5133-900X, Liverpool Hope University)
Year2003
Volume94
Issue3
Pages285-297
Publication date2003-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1269 • E-ISSN: 2044-8295
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1348/000712603767876235
PMID14511544
OpenAlexW1976588178
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited2

In Experiment 1, participants took part in a fake seance. An actor suggested that a table was levitating when, in fact, it remained stationary. After the seance, approximately one third of participants incorrectly reported that the table had moved. Results also showed a significant relationship between the reported movement of the table and belief in the paranormal, with a greater percentage of believers than disbelievers, reporting that the table had moved. Experiment 2 varied whether the suggestion was consistent, or inconsistent, with participants' belief in the paranormal. Results again showed that believers were more susceptible to suggestion than disbelievers, but only when the suggestion was consistent with their belief in the paranormal. Approximately one fifth of participants believed that the fake seances contained genuine paranormal phenomena

Paranormal · Parapsychology · Psychoanalysis · Jungian Analytical Psychology · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Psychology · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices · Social Psychology

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