2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
The research for scientific attitudes and cognitive biases which affect the belief in pseudoscience
Project/Area Number |
22500850
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
Section | 一般 |
Research Field |
Science education
|
Research Institution | Shinshu University |
Principal Investigator |
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Project Period (FY) |
2010 – 2012
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Keywords | 科学と社会 / 文化 |
Research Abstract |
The hypothesis that paranormal beliefs in pseudoscience are influenced by cognitive biases for adjustment was examined by means of experimental methods and questionnaires. According to these examinations, the illusion of control in probabilistic events positively correlated with some aspects of paranormal beliefs. Yet this result depends on the tasks and subjects. The positive attitude toward science is positively correlated with paranormal beliefs among high school students but negatively correlated among teachers. The examinations held in this study were carefully analyzed to be published as a book in order to improve critical thinking in education.
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