Abstract
It is hypothesized that Rotter's I-E variable mediates individual differences in supernatural and superstitious beliefs, with externals exhibiting more positive attitudes toward such phenomena. An approximately equal number of male and female introductory psychology students were selected as externals (N = 20) and internals (N = 23) from upper and lower quartiles of the Rotter I-E scale. All Ss were administered an attitude questionnaire assessing beliefs toward several paranormal, occult, and pseudoscientific phenomena. Analysis via a 2 × 2 (I-E Control × Sex) analysis of variance strongly confirmed the hypothesis (p < .01). Although not predicted, females, regardless of I-E status, were much more favorably disposed toward such phenomena than males (p < .01). Differences in more general attitudes toward both religion and science are suggested as mediating the over-all I-E and sex differences.
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