Paranormal beliefs in young Salvadoran adults: sociodemographic links, socialization agents and perception of anomie
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v14i2.4245Keywords:
Anomie, Fear of Crime, Control, Socialization, El SalvadorAbstract
“Paranormal beliefs in young Salvadoran adults: sociodemographic links, socialization agents and perception of anomie” Introduction: Paranormal beliefs are beliefs that are not scientifically accepted. These beliefs, that may constitute tools for personal control and uncertainty reduction, do not seem to have been studied in Central America. Objective: To explore paranormal beliefs in a sample of Salvadoran adults. Methods: 510 participants filled out a survey that included different measurement scales: Paranormal Beliefs, Perception of Anomie, Fear of Crime and Socialization Agents. The Paranormal Belief Scale is made up of three factors: witchcraft, psi-superstition and strange life forms. Results: The most accepted belief was witchcraft. Women, evangelical Christians, and individuals from low-income families, were more accepting of paranormal beliefs, and these correlate with the perception of anomie and fear of crime. Conclusion: Paranormal beliefs in this sample vary individually, reflect social conditions, and are linked to perceptions of threat and uncertainty.
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