Reply to Houran and Lange (2012)

Tony Jinks

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Houran and Lange (2012) claim that I (Jinks, 2012) criticise past paranormal belief research for not accurately representing the socio-psychological tendencies and traits of strong believers. They outline conceptual, psychometric and methodological issues that limit my main conclusions. In this reply, I clarify Houran and Lange's mistaken assumption that I conflated 'informed' belief with 'justified' belief, and 'quasi' (or uninformed) belief with 'unjustified' belief. I do not classify respondents as justified and unjustified believers. Also, my analysis of relevant paranormal items is not confined to ghosts, but includes relevant items pertaining to anomalous information acquisition. It is important to understand that my original pilot study (Jinks, 2012) was a comparison of responses to primary items (typical of paranormal belief questionnaires) with responses to secondary items that were (potentially) anomalous rationalisations of the topics contained in those items. Finally, I concur with Houran and Lange's (2012) suggestions for future research.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)169-175
    Number of pages7
    JournalAustralian Journal of Parapsychology
    Volume12
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Keywords

    • Paranormal

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