Investigating the relationship between adult attachment style and belief in the paranormal: Results from two studies

Abstract

Two studies examine the relationship between adult attachment style and various types of paranormal belief. In Study One, 157 participants completed a popular measure of paranormal belief, demographic items, and a four-category measure of adult attachment style. With participants’ gender
and qualifications controlled for, fearfully attached adults had stronger global as well as specific beliefs in superstitions, Spiritualism, precognition, a New Age philosophy and to a lesser extent psi. In Study Two, 136 participants completed the same paranormal belief and demographics questionnaires, but this time a four-way continuous attachment measure. With demographics
again controlled for, preoccupied adults displayed a stronger belief in all paranormal types except psi, superstitions, and extraordinary life forms. In addition, fearful adults were more disposed to believing in ecognition
and superstition. The role paranormal belief plays as a compensatory and/or controlling mechanism for coping with non-secure adult attachment is discussed. Methodological issues are also considered.