Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Magazine Overview

Title: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Issue: Volume 92, Issue 5
Date: 2007
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Country: United States
Language: English

This issue features the article "Ghosts, UFOs, and Magic: Positive Affect and the Experiential System" by Laura A. King, Chad M. Burton, Joshua A. Hicks, and Stephen M. Drigotas. The article explores the relationship between positive affect (PA) and the experiential system in predicting nonrational beliefs and behaviors, such as paranormal beliefs and sympathetic magic.

Ghosts, UFOs, and Magic: Positive Affect and the Experiential System

This article presents three studies investigating how positive affect (PA) interacts with the experiential system to influence paranormal beliefs and sympathetic magic. The authors draw upon Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST), which posits two modes of information processing: the rational system (logical, analytical) and the experiential system (intuitive, automatic, holistic).

Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST)

CEST describes two systems of processing. The experiential system is fast, automatic, associationistic, and prone to broad generalizations, operating on 'vibes from the past.' It is linked to heuristic processing and creativity. The rational system is slow, intentional, effortful, and logical, operating through conscious appraisals and relating to probabilities and logic.

The Role of Positive Affect (PA)

The authors propose that PA may play a role in shifting processing towards the experiential system. PA signals safety and security, making it reasonable to rely on intuitive 'gut feelings.' This is supported by research showing PA leads to increased reliance on heuristic cues, broad generalizations, flexible processing, and a global focus.

Study 1: Paranormal Beliefs and Videos

Study 1 examined the interaction of PA and 'Faith in Intuition' (FI), a measure of the experiential system, in predicting belief in paranormal phenomena. Participants viewed videos of alleged UFOs and ghosts. Results showed a significant interaction: individuals high in FI were more likely to believe the videos and find the experience meaningful when they were in a positive mood. This suggests that PA promotes experiential processing, leading to increased belief in ambiguous paranormal stimuli for those predisposed to rely on intuition.

Study 2: Sympathetic Magic and the Law of Similarity

Study 2 investigated the role of PA and FI in susceptibility to sympathetic magic, specifically the law of similarity (objects that resemble each other share properties). Participants threw darts at a picture of a baby. The results indicated a significant interaction between PA and FI: individuals high in both PA and FI showed the greatest decrease in dart accuracy when targeting the baby's picture, indicating a stronger influence of sympathetic magic. This effect was robust even when mood was measured after the task.

Study 3: Sympathetic Magic and the Law of Contagion

Study 3 explored the law of contagion (objects that have been in contact exchange essences) using a scenario involving a partner who had stepped in excrement. Participants were manipulated to be in a positive or neutral mood. The study measured the distance participants chose to sit from this partner (proximity) and their liking for the partner. Results showed that in the positive mood condition, individuals high in FI sat farther away from the partner, suggesting a distancing effect related to contagion. Interestingly, while liking was generally higher in the positive mood condition, individuals high in FI in the positive mood condition reported the lowest liking for the partner, an effect that ran counter to predictions based on PA and FI's general association with sociability.

Discussion and Implications

The studies collectively suggest that PA promotes reliance on the experiential system, particularly for individuals high in experientiality. This interaction influences susceptibility to nonrational beliefs and behaviors like paranormal beliefs and sympathetic magic. The findings highlight how mood states can modulate the influence of individual differences in cognitive processing styles on judgments and behaviors, especially in domains that are not strictly governed by rational thought.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the exploration of nonrational human cognition, specifically how intuitive (experiential) processing, influenced by emotional states like positive affect, contributes to beliefs and behaviors that defy purely logical explanation. The journal's stance appears to be one of rigorous empirical investigation into psychological phenomena, including those that might be considered fringe or unusual, aiming to provide scientific explanations grounded in cognitive and social psychology.

This issue of 'GHOSTS, UFOS, AND MAGIC' (Issue 915) delves into the psychological underpinnings of paranormal beliefs and behaviors, particularly focusing on the interplay between rational and experiential cognitive systems, the influence of positive affect (PA), and the phenomenon of sympathetic magic. The articles explore how individual differences in thinking styles and emotional states impact susceptibility to nonrational beliefs and actions.

Experientiality, Rationality, and Paranormal Beliefs

The research presented suggests that paranormal beliefs are more closely tied to the experiential system than the rational system. Experientiality (FI) was found to be related to paranormal beliefs and sympathetic magic, but only when individuals also scored high in positive affect (PA). Rationality (NC) showed little to no significant correlation with these outcomes. The studies indicate that positive mood shifts the balance towards the experiential system, making individuals more prone to interpret experiences as supernatural, especially when they are under the influence of positive mood. This suggests that intuitive individuals may recognize their propensity for engagement with such experiences, and positive affect amplifies this tendency.

Sympathetic Magic and Cognitive Processes

Studies 2 and 3 specifically examined sympathetic magic, using paradigms like dart-throwing at a picture of a baby and setting up chairs for an interaction with someone who had come into contact with excrement. These studies found that engaging in sympathetic magic was associated with high levels of PA and experientiality. The research conceptually replicated original findings on sympathetic magic, highlighting the importance of individual differences in understanding these phenomena. The authors suggest that while these effects might not always be strictly 'magical,' they demonstrate a tendency towards nonrational behaviors.

The Role of Positive Affect (PA) and Mood

Positive affect (PA) is identified as a key factor that can override the influence of the rational system, signaling that it is not needed for a given task. Being in a positive mood appears to lead to a greater reliance on the experiential system. This could explain previously documented effects of PA on cognitive and behavioral processes and provides a theoretical framework for reconciling disparate findings in mood and cognition research. The studies suggest that PA may moderate the influence of mood on cognitive processes, and researchers may have overlooked dispositional levels of the experiential system.

Implications for Psychology of Belief and Nonrationality

The findings have significant implications for how psychology approaches nonscientific beliefs. Instead of viewing them as exceptions to rational decision-making, CEST (Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory) allows for their examination as products of the experiential system present in everyone. The research strongly suggests that intuition, rather than rationality, is the key predictor of spontaneous paranormal beliefs and magical behavior. The authors propose that attempts to change irrational beliefs using logic are likely to be ineffective. Instead, future research should focus on exploring how these beliefs contribute to a sense of meaning and purpose in individuals' lives, acknowledging their role in religious faith and potentially in dysfunctional belief systems.

Future Research Directions

Future research is encouraged to explore the role of intuitive processes in dysfunctional belief systems, such as cults, and to further investigate the domain of nonrational beliefs and behaviors. The authors also suggest examining how the experiential system relates to mainstream religious faith and observances, and how PA might reinforce belief within faith communities. The study of 'human universals' through the lens of individual differences is also highlighted as a promising avenue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the dominance of the experiential system, particularly when influenced by positive affect, in shaping paranormal beliefs and behaviors. The editorial stance appears to be one that seeks to understand and explain these phenomena within a psychological framework, rather than dismissing them. There is a clear emphasis on the validity of the experiential system as a fundamental aspect of human cognition and its significant role in areas often considered irrational. The issue advocates for a shift in research focus from solely rational explanations to a more holistic understanding that incorporates intuitive processes, emotional states, and the search for meaning.