Supersense

HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP ON THE SUPERSENSE?

HOW DO YOU SCORE ON PARANORMAL BELIEF?

In chapter 2, I described the results of Gallup polls surveying the general public in their supernatural beliefs. There are several scales that have been used in research to measure how much belief people have in supernatural phenomena. Listed below are thirteen statements containing opinions designed to quickly measure paranormal beliefs. Following each opinion please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement, with (1) = Strong Disagreement, (2) = Moderate Disagreement, (3) = Mild Disagreement, (4) = Mild Agreement, (5) = Moderate Agreement and (6) = Strong Agreement. Read the statements carefully as the wording is important.

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 just 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, any fortune-teller’s predictions which come true are just a result of coincidence.

g)

Regardless of what you might read in the magazines, people who actually believe in ‘magic’ rituals are just wasting their time.

h)

For the most part, most fortune-tellers’ predictions are general and vague. It is just the situation that them believable.

i)

In spite of what people think, card readings, for example tarot cards, can reveal a lot about a person and their future.

j)

Cosmic forces (astrology) can still influence peoples’ lives even thought they don’t believe in it. k) Although some people still believe there are people who can actually put a hex on or cast a love spell on some, such belief is only superstition. l) Contrary to scientific belief, some people can make contact with the dead.

Take your score for items b), e), f ), g), and j) then reverse the value so that 1=6, 2=5, 3=4, 4=3, 5=2 and 6=1. Now add all your scores together. What was your total?

Research with this scale has shown that the average adult score is 38 in the US and 32 in the UK.