How do you score on supernatural belief?
Listed are 13 statements designed to measure paranormal beliefs. For each opinion, indicate: 1 = strong disagreement 2 = moderate disagreement 3 = mild disagreement 4 = mild agreement 5 = moderate agreement 6 = strong agreement a) It is probably true that certain people can predict the future quite accurately. b) For the most part, people who claim to be psychics are in reality very good actors. c) It is quite possible for planetary forces to control personality traits. d) Contrary to scientific opinion, there is some validity to fortune-telling. e) In spite of the laws of science, some people can use their psychic powers to make objects move. f) As a general rule, a fortune-teller's predictions that come true are a result of coincidence. g) Regardless of what you might read in the magazines, people who actually believe in "magical" ritual ceremonies are just wasting their time. h) As a general rule, UFO sightings can best be explained as overreactions by people to naturally occurring events. i) For the most part, most fortune-tellers' predictions are general and vague. It is just the situation that makes them believable. j) In spite of what people think, card reading - for example, tarot cards - can tell a lot about a person and their future. k) Cosmic forces (such as astrology) can still influence people's lives even though they don't believe in them. l) Although some people still believe there are people who can actually put a hex on or cast a love spell on someone, such belief is only superstition. m) Contrary to scientific belief, some people can make contact with the dead. Take your score for items b), f), g), h), i) and l), then reverse the value so that 1=6, 2=5, 3=4, 4=3, 5=2 and 6=1. Now add together all your scores. What is your total? The higher your score, the more supernatural your beliefs. Research among students using this scale showed an average score of 38 in the US and 32 in the UK. (I got 13, unluckily for me. Not) >From interesting article in todays Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/may/09/superstitions
