Unfounded beliefs among teachers: The interactive role of rationality priming and cognitive ability

Küçük Resim Yok

Tarih

2019

Dergi Başlığı

Dergi ISSN

Cilt Başlığı

Yayıncı

Wiley

Erişim Hakkı

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

Özet

Previous research suggests that unfounded beliefs (UB)-such as conspiracist beliefs and beliefs in the supernatural-stem from similar cognitive and motivational mechanisms. More specifically, it has been demonstrated that cognitive ability is negatively associated with UB but only among individuals who value epistemic rationality. The present study goes beyond previous correlational studies by examining whether the negative association between cognitive ability and UB can be strengthened through a subtle rationality prime. In a large scale online experiment (N = 762 French teachers), we demonstrate that priming rationality (vs. control) does enhance the negative relationship between cognitive ability and adherence to supernatural beliefs, as well as conspiracy mentality (d = 0.2). This effect was not obtained for illusory pattern perception. This study's usefulness as a proof of concept for future interventions aimed at reducing UB prevalence among the general public is discussed.

Açıklama

Anahtar Kelimeler

Cognitive Ability, Conspiracy Mentality, Epistemic Rationality, Pattern Perception, Supernatural Beliefs, Paranormal Belief, Self-Categorization, Social Identity, Conspiracy, Thinking, Ideation, Power

Kaynak

Applied Cognitive Psychology

WoS Q Değeri

Q3

Scopus Q Değeri

Q1

Cilt

33

Sayı

4

Künye