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Harris EA, Milfont TL, Hornsey MJ. Belief in Luck and Precognition Around the World. JOURNAL OF CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/00220221221110462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Although magical beliefs (such as belief in luck and precognition) are presumably universal, the extent to which such beliefs are embraced likely varies across cultures. We assessed the effect of culture on luck and precognition beliefs in two large-scale multinational studies (Study 1: k = 16, N = 17,664; Study 2: k = 25, N = 4,024). Over and above the effects of demographic factors, culture was a significant predictor of luck and precognition beliefs in both studies. Indeed, when culture was added to demographic models, the variance accounted for in luck and precognition beliefs approximately doubled. Belief in luck and precognition was highest in Latvia and Russia (Study 1) and South Asia (Study 2), and lowest in Protestant Europe (Studies 1 and 2). Thus, beyond the effects of age, gender, education, and religiosity, culture is a significant factor in explaining variance in people’s belief in luck and precognition. Follow-up analyses found a relatively consistent effect of socio-economic development, such that belief in luck and precognition were more prevalent in countries with lower scores on the Human Development Index. There was also some evidence that these beliefs were stronger in more collectivist cultures, but this effect was inconsistent. We discuss the possibility that there are culturally specific historical factors that contribute to relative openness to such beliefs in Russia, Latvia, and South Asia.
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Stares S. Edna Einsiedel: 'What the journal has done best is to illustrate the richness and diversity of the relationships between science and its many publics'. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:356-360. [PMID: 35491919 DOI: 10.1177/09636625221085341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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Kubasova K. Fortune-tellers as counselors in Bangkok: Exploratory research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2021.1968570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Kubasova
- School of Global Studies, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Jones SH, Elsdon-Baker F, Catto R, Kaden T. What science means to me: Understanding personal identification with (evolutionary) science using the sociology of (non)religion. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:579-596. [PMID: 32815789 DOI: 10.1177/0963662520923110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Within science and technology studies, there is an established tradition of examining publics' knowledge of, trust in, access to and engagement with science, but less attention has been paid to whether and why publics identify with science. While this is understandable given the field's interest in bridging gaps between publics and producers of scientific knowledge, it leaves unanswered questions about how science forms part of people's worldviews and fits into cultural politics and conflict. Based on 123 interviews and 16 focus groups with mixed religious and nonreligious publics and scientists in the United Kingdom and Canada, this article utilises approaches from the sociology of (non)religion to delineate varieties of science identification. It maps out 'practical', 'norm-based', 'civilisational' and 'existential' identifications and explores how these interrelate with people's social characteristics. The article illustrates how science identification is typically dependent on a constellation of cultural/political influences rather than just emerging out of interest in science.
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Payir A, Davoodi T, Cui KY, Clegg JM, Harris PL, Corriveau K. Are high levels of religiosity inconsistent with a high valuation of science? Evidence from the United States, China and Iran. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 56:216-227. [PMID: 32617973 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We asked whether high levels of religiosity are inconsistent with a high valuation of science. We explored this possibility in three countries that diverge markedly in the relation between the state and religion. Parents in the United States (n = 126), China (n = 234) and Iran (n = 77) completed a survey about their personal and parental stance towards science. The relation between religiosity and the valuation of science varied sharply by country. In the U.S. sample, greater religiosity was associated with a lower valuation of science. A similar but weaker negative relation was found in the Chinese sample. Parents in the Iranian sample, by contrast, valued science highly, despite high levels of religiosity. Given the small size of our United States and Iranian samples, and the non-probabilistic nature of our samples in general, we caution readers not to generalise our findings beyond the current samples. Despite this caveat, these findings qualify the assumption that religiosity is inconsistent with the valuation of science and highlight the role of sociocultural context in shaping adults' perception of the relation between religion and science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Payir
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Telli Davoodi
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Kelly Yixin Cui
- Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Clegg
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Paul L Harris
- Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Corriveau
- Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Huxster JK, Slater MH, Leddington J, LoPiccolo V, Bergman J, Jones M, McGlynn C, Diaz N, Aspinall N, Bresticker J, Hopkins M. Understanding "understanding" in Public Understanding of Science. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2018; 27:756-771. [PMID: 29058988 DOI: 10.1177/0963662517735429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the conflation of terms such as "knowledge" and "understanding" in peer-reviewed literature, and tests the hypothesis that little current research clearly distinguishes between importantly distinct epistemic states. Two sets of data are presented from papers published in the journal Public Understanding of Science. In the first set, the digital text analysis tool, Voyant, is used to analyze all papers published in 2014 for the use of epistemic success terms. In the second set of data, all papers published in Public Understanding of Science from 2010-2015 are systematically analyzed to identify instances in which epistemic states are empirically measured. The results indicate that epistemic success terms are inconsistently defined, and that measurement of understanding, in particular, is rarely achieved in public understanding of science studies. We suggest that more diligent attention to measuring understanding, as opposed to mere knowledge, will increase efficacy of scientific outreach and communication efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna K Huxster
- Bucknell University, USA; Eckerd College, USA
- Bucknell University, USA
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Falade BA, Bauer MW. 'I have faith in science and in God': Common sense, cognitive polyphasia and attitudes to science in Nigeria. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2018; 27:29-46. [PMID: 28194998 DOI: 10.1177/0963662517690293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study, of modern common sense in Nigeria, combines questionnaires and interviews to examine the compatibility and incompatibility of religion and science. Nigeria is a large country with a complex diversity of religious, ethnic and cultural practices that condition the reception and elaboration of science in everyday life. We find evaluative attitudes to science structured as 'progress', 'fear' and 'mythical image'. Scientific knowledge and religiosity have a direct bearing on expectations of progress and feeling of fear and worry about science; mythical image is independent of this. Nigerians trust both scientific and religious authorities in contrast to other social actors. Many of the results are consistent with the hypothesis of cognitive polyphasia of scientific and religious knowing manifesting as a 'hierarchy', when one form is elevated over the other; 'parallelity', when both serve separate functions; and 'empowerment', where one enhances the other.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin W Bauer
- The London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
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Dash B. Public understanding of cyclone warning in India: Can wind be predicted? PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:970-987. [PMID: 25313142 DOI: 10.1177/0963662514553203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In spite of meteorological warning, many human lives are lost every year to cyclone mainly because vulnerable populations were not evacuated on time to a safe shelter as per recommendation. It raises several questions, most prominently what explains people's behaviour in the face of such danger from a cyclonic storm? How do people view meteorological advisories issued for cyclone and what role they play in defining the threat? What shapes public response during such situation? This article based on an ethnographic study carried out in coastal state of Odisha, India, argues that local public recognising inherent limitations of meteorological warning, fall back on their own system of observation and forecasting. Not only are the contents of cyclone warning understood, its limitations are accommodated and explained.
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GRALL-BRONNEC MARIE, BULTEAU SAMUEL, VICTORRI-VIGNEAU CAROLINE, BOUJU GAËLLE, SAUVAGET ANNE. Fortune telling addiction: Unfortunately a serious topic about a case report. J Behav Addict 2015; 4:27-31. [PMID: 25786497 PMCID: PMC4394851 DOI: 10.1556/jba.4.2015.1.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Constant social change brings about new forms of behavior, such as smartphone use, social networking,indoor tanning, cosmetic surgery, etc., that could become excessive or even lead to new forms of addictive disorders. METHODS We report the case of a woman who starts consulting for “clairvoyance addiction”. We then discuss the addictive nature of her disorder, based on several classifications of addiction. RESULTS The patient fulfilled the criteria for addiction and her clinical features were typical of that of addicted people. Other differential diagnoses were discussed. CONCLUSION As for any addictive behavior, the interaction of several risk factors should be considered.They are related to the individual himself, but also to the object of addiction and to the socio-environmental context. In this case, all the conditions were met for fortune telling use to become addictive.
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Affiliation(s)
- MARIE GRALL-BRONNEC
- Addictology Department, Nantes University HospitalNantesFrance,EA 4275 “Biostatistics, Pharmacoepidemiology and Subjective Measures
in Health Sciences”, Nantes UniversityNantesFrance
| | - SAMUEL BULTEAU
- Psychiatry Department, Nantes University HospitalNantesFrance
| | - CAROLINE VICTORRI-VIGNEAU
- EA 4275 “Biostatistics, Pharmacoepidemiology and Subjective Measures
in Health Sciences”, Nantes UniversityNantesFrance,Pharmacology Department, Nantes University HospitalNantesFrance
| | - GAËLLE BOUJU
- Addictology Department, Nantes University HospitalNantesFrance,EA 4275 “Biostatistics, Pharmacoepidemiology and Subjective Measures
in Health Sciences”, Nantes UniversityNantesFrance
| | - ANNE SAUVAGET
- Psychiatry Department, Nantes University HospitalNantesFrance
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