Beliefs in scientifically unsubstantiated ideas were investigated with a study that contrasted college students' attitudes toward paranormal phenomena before and after exposure to skeptical arguments concerning these events. Specifically, students enrolled in 2 sections of a psychological statistics course were exposed to illustrations of statistical concepts that were either paranormal-themed or not, with a 3rd group of participants completing a class that focused on the critical analysis of believer- and skeptic-based ideas surrounding paranormal phenomena. Results revealed that skepticism increased, over time, only when direct exposure to paranormal phenomena was included in one's course work. Results are discussed in terms of the educational and societal implications for encouraging skepticism of scientifically questionable claims.
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