Higher Education Fuels Stronger Belief in Ghosts

[Petr]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20060120/sc_space/highereducationfuelsstrongerbeliefinghosts


Higher Education Fuels Stronger Belief in Ghosts

Robert Roy Britt
LiveScience Managing Editor
Fri Jan 20, 10:00 AM ET


Believe it or not, higher education is linked to a greater tendency to believe in ghosts and other paranormal phenomena, according to a new study.

Contrary to researchers' expectations, a poll of 439 college students found seniors and grad students were more likely to believe in haunted houses, psychics, telepathy, channeling and a host of other questionable ideas.

The results are detailed in the January-February issue of the Skeptical Inquirer magazine.

'Not Sure'

The survey was modeled after a nationwide Gallup Poll in 2001 that found younger Americans far more likely to believe in the paranormal than older respondents.

The new study was done by Bryan Farha at Oklahoma City University and Gary Steward Jr. of the University of Central Oklahoma.

In general college students checked the "Believe" box less than the general population surveyed by Gallup. But the lack of "Don't Believe" responses among college students was lower for six of the 13 categories: psychic or spiritual healing, haunted houses, demonic possession, ghosts, clairvoyance and witches. That means a higher percentage of college students put themselves in the "Not Sure" column on these topics. [Table of results]

Less skeptical

More significantly, the new survey reveals college is not necessarily a path to skepticism in these realms.

While 23 percent of college freshmen expressed a general belief in paranormal concepts—from astrology to communicating with the dead—31 percent of seniors did so and the figure jumped to 34 percent among graduate students.

"As people attain higher college-education levels, the likelihood of believing in paranormal dimensions increases," Farha and Steward write.

The media are likely responsible for some people's beliefs in alien abductions and other paranormal concepts, the scientists write, based on their survey of existing studies. And some people tend to selectively confirm whatever ideas might be in their heads. Even smart people might believe in something offbeat because, in part, they're good at defending whatever they believe.

...

[Petyr Baelish]

Higher education in the pseudo-discipline of theology seems particularly apt at inducing bizzare superstitious beliefs such as Intelligent Design in its students.

[Sinclair]

Too vague. I mean, what is being taught? A lot of university disciplines don't teach skepticism, really.

Especially when it's considered that (According to my father, a professor for 30-plus years) it's much rarer for an arts student to minor or even take electives in science, or vice versa. Arts students are the bulk of university grads IIRC, and if they're getting less scientific education than they once were, well, they're not going to be as scientifically-minded.

[Starr]

In general college students checked the "Believe" box less than the general population surveyed by Gallup. But the lack of "Don't Believe" responses among college students was lower for six of the 13 categories: psychic or spiritual healing, haunted houses, demonic possession, ghosts, clairvoyance and witches. That means a higher percentage of college students put themselves in the "Not Sure" column on these topics.

All this says is that while they don't neccessarily "believe" without a doubt, they do believe in the possibility of the existence of "the paranormal." I would think this makes some sense because smarter people have a tendency to not look at everything in such simple terms, where something either is or isn't,etc.

I have known quite a few people who have experienced what could be called a "paranormal event" or at least believe they have. I would assume this is not unique to me and the people I know. That alone can be a very powerful way in which to "confirm" something in which you already want to believe.

[Geist]

Well Petr its either this or that other hocus pocus of religion.

[Lenny]

Higher education in the pseudo-discipline of theology seems particularly apt at inducing bizzare superstitious beliefs such as Intelligent Design in its students.The dogmatism of science-as-religion also whips up some strange beliefs in people, e.g. that the physical world is the only thing that exists, that there is no higher power of any kind, that there is no continuation of consciousness after death, and similiar cold atheistic strange beliefs

All this says is that while they don't neccessarily "believe" without a doubt, they do believe in the possibility of the existence of "the paranormal." I would think this makes some sense because smarter people have a tendency to not look at everything in such simple terms, where something either is or isn't,etc.Yes, in other words a great number of them are more open-minded, despite being in a university setting for so many years they have avoided slipping into the typical academic/intellectual knee-jerk rejection of such things. This is a good omen for society as a whole I'd say

[Petr]

Singaporean-Chinese world traveller Tan Wee Cheng makes an interesting observation: the Chinese in well-developed capitalist countries are more superstitious/religious than those living in ill-developed Communist China:

http://weecheng.com/


Religion in China today : What do they believe in ?

Before this trip, I had thought that people in developing countries like China would be more superstitious and devoted religiously, as a result of lesser contact with modern technology and godless television. This is not so. In fact, I am very surprised by the total lack of belief in any religion by anyone 50 years and below. Most people view religions as primitive beliefs and acts of devotion, as feudal and manifestations of illiteracy and backwardness. Very few educated people would like to be associated with religions, although most don’t mind making a simple prayer in temples when they are there - most likely during a sightseeing trip. That’s no different from an American tourist throwing a coin into fountains in Rome or Paris (or anywhere else) for luck. What causes this change in a country famous for beautiful temples, built over centuries by very devoted people ? And this contrasts drastically from economically more successful and developed Chinese societies like Taiwan and Hong Kong, where religion has become an important facet of life. Perhaps, it is the feeling of loss and confusion caused by a hectic urban lifestyle that make religion very important in maintaining a personal sense of worth and meaning - something that China is lacking, but certainly moving towards.


Petr

[Petr]

In his famous commentary on the difference between American and European religiosity in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville commented:

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/religion/ch1_17.htm


"THE philosophers of the eighteenth century explained in a very simple manner the gradual decay of religious faith. Religious zeal, said they, must necessarily fail the more generally liberty is established and knowledge diffused. Unfortunately, the facts by no means accord with their theory. There are certain populations in Europe whose unbelief is only equaled by their ignorance and debasement; while in America, one of the freest and most enlightened nations in the world, the people fulfill with fervor all the outward duties of religion."



Petr

[Scales]

The dogmatism of science-as-religion also whips up some strange beliefs in people, e.g. that the physical world is the only thing that exists, that there is no higher power of any kind, that there is no continuation of consciousness after death, and similiar cold atheistic strange beliefs
Firstly, bear in mind that it is the 'dogmatism of science' that will assist you if you are ever struck down with and injury or a disease. The dogmatism of science has a rather more reliable track record than the dogmatism of religion. Or would you prefer a Brazillian faith healer with a rosary to treat you instead? A woman with a crystal on a string, maybe?

Science is only a 'religion' in the sense that it is the origin of a belief system. That's unavoidable, and given the refinable, testable nature of scientific theory, it's a better bet for truth than Islam or Christianity.

As an atheist, I believe that what you described as 'cold, atheistic strange beliefs' are in fact the absence of 'warm, theistic, familiar beliefs. 'Warm' because they are a comforting indulgence of our desire for moral validation, eternal life, ultimate justice and paternal protection. 'Theistic' because they project those desires into the form of an appropriate godhead. 'Familiar' because we are programmed by our environment to accept the idea of piety as 'good' and we have had this idea reinforced since birth.

Yes, in other words a great number of them are more open-minded, despite being in a university setting for so many years they have avoided slipping into the typical academic/intellectual knee-jerk rejection of such things. This is a good omen for society as a whole I'd say
Yes, damn university-calibre education. It's that whole principle of controlled testing, objective evidence and rational analysis that tends to cause problems, isn't it? These things tend to be rejected by the academic community because, on closer scrutiny and testing, the evidence is simply not there. Theologists and social scientists may have time for it, but no reputable academics subscribe to ghost stories. Witness statements, dubious, easily-faked photographs and anecdotal evidence are all we have. Formal scientific testing hasn't raised a single soul.

[Starr]

As an atheist, I believe that what you described as 'cold, atheistic strange beliefs' are in fact the absence of 'warm, theistic, familiar beliefs. 'Warm' because they are a comforting indulgence of our desire for moral validation, eternal life, ultimate justice and paternal protection.

This is true, but this can't be said of everyone who may believe in some sort of higher power, rather than someone who is a follower of some organized religion.

I don't know what I truly "believe" anymore other than just possibilities. It is difficult to write off "supernatural events" when you personally know(rational) people who have experienced, what seem to be unexplainable things. Which is where I stand.