A study of paranormal belief, personality factors, religiosity and spirituality among young adults

Abstract

Parapsychology, in a restricted sense, is defined as the scientific, statistical, the experimental approach to extrasensory phenomena. It is placed within the framework of science (Banks, H.N., 1989).  Those who believe in paranormal or psychical phenomenon are said to be paranormal believers. Their beliefs in paranormal activities are associated with their personality, spiritual belief and religious belief but this association is not significant as is reflected in the results of this study. There was a negative non-significant correlation between conscientiousness and agreeableness and paranormal belief. There was a positive non-significant correlation between openness, neuroticism, extraversion and spirituality and paranormal belief. Religiosity was significantly positively correlated with paranormal belief. Males and females also showed difference in paranormal belief. Gender difference was observed where females were found to be more religious and spiritual than males. Religiosity was significantly positively correlated with spirituality.