Paranormal and religious beliefs may be mediated differentially by subcortical and cortical phenomenological processes of the temporal (limbic) lobes.
Perceptual and Motor Skills February 1, 1993 DOI: 10.2466/pms.1993.76.1.247 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 800 |
| Population | 400 men and 400 women |
| Keywords | Limbic system Temporal lobe Humans Epilepsies, partial Self concept Parapsychology Religion and psychology Sex factors Linguistics Adult Female Functional laterality |
| Key findings | Partial correlation analyses supported the prediction that paranormal beliefs track subcortical complex partial epileptic-like temporal lobe experiences and religious beliefs track the right-hemispheric "sensed presence" of the linguistic self; religious affiliation had no statistically significant influence. Agreement with extreme religious beliefs (e.g., killing others in God's name) was associated with weekly church attendance and endorsed primarily by men, not women. |
Abstract
The vectorial hemisphericity concept predicts that endorsements of beliefs in paranormal phenomena are associated with elevated subcortical (complex partial epileptic-like signs) temporal lobe experiences while endorsements of religious beliefs are associated with experiences of the right (cortical) hemispheric equivalent (the sensed presence) of the linguistic sense of self. Partial correlation analyses, which removed the expected shared variance, supported this hypothesis for 400 men and 400 women; religious affiliation did not contribute any statistically significant influence. However, agreements with extreme religious beliefs, such as killing others in God's name, were associated with weekly church attendance and were primarily endorsed by men but not by women.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Vectorial Cerebral Hemisphericity as Differential Sources for the Sensed Presence, Mystical Experiences and Religious Conversions Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 1993
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