The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies

Paranormal believers’ thinking is frequently biased by intuitive beliefs. Lack of inhibition of these tempting beliefs is considered a key element in paranormal believers’ thinking. However, the brain process related to cognitive control and dual mechanism control (DMC) in paranormal believers is po...

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Main Authors: Abdolvahed Narmashiri, Javad Hatami, Reza Khosrowabadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2024.2316415
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author Abdolvahed Narmashiri
Javad Hatami
Reza Khosrowabadi
author_facet Abdolvahed Narmashiri
Javad Hatami
Reza Khosrowabadi
author_sort Abdolvahed Narmashiri
collection DOAJ
description Paranormal believers’ thinking is frequently biased by intuitive beliefs. Lack of inhibition of these tempting beliefs is considered a key element in paranormal believers’ thinking. However, the brain process related to cognitive control and dual mechanism control (DMC) in paranormal believers is poorly understood. Given the critical role of cognitive control in paranormal beliefs, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DMC in paranormal beliefs in two behavioral and brain stimulation experiments. In the first experiment, participants were screened based on The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS) and were divided into two groups with skeptics and paranormal believers and performed the AX continuous Performance task (AX-CPT). In the second experiment, paranormal believers were randomly assigned into one of three groups of rDLPFC, rIFG, and Sham stimulation (2 mA, 20 min) while performing the AX-CPT task. The results of the first experiment showed that there was a significant difference between groups (believers vs. skeptics) in the BX, BY trials, and AX and BY trials in RT and accuracy respectively. Additionally, the results of the second experiment showed that there was a significant difference between the rDLPFC and Sham groups in the BY trial on RT. There was also a significant difference between the rDLPFC and rIFG groups in the BX trial. In addition, the results showed a significant difference between the rDLPFC and rIFG groups in the BX, and BY trials on accuracy. These findings highlight the relationship between DMC, paranormal beliefs, and the underlying neural mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-987d878435fb44d380cca8deaef122ca2025-08-20T02:38:23ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Psychology2331-19082024-12-0111110.1080/23311908.2024.2316415The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studiesAbdolvahed Narmashiri0Javad Hatami1Reza Khosrowabadi2School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, IranFaculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranInstitute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranParanormal believers’ thinking is frequently biased by intuitive beliefs. Lack of inhibition of these tempting beliefs is considered a key element in paranormal believers’ thinking. However, the brain process related to cognitive control and dual mechanism control (DMC) in paranormal believers is poorly understood. Given the critical role of cognitive control in paranormal beliefs, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DMC in paranormal beliefs in two behavioral and brain stimulation experiments. In the first experiment, participants were screened based on The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS) and were divided into two groups with skeptics and paranormal believers and performed the AX continuous Performance task (AX-CPT). In the second experiment, paranormal believers were randomly assigned into one of three groups of rDLPFC, rIFG, and Sham stimulation (2 mA, 20 min) while performing the AX-CPT task. The results of the first experiment showed that there was a significant difference between groups (believers vs. skeptics) in the BX, BY trials, and AX and BY trials in RT and accuracy respectively. Additionally, the results of the second experiment showed that there was a significant difference between the rDLPFC and Sham groups in the BY trial on RT. There was also a significant difference between the rDLPFC and rIFG groups in the BX trial. In addition, the results showed a significant difference between the rDLPFC and rIFG groups in the BX, and BY trials on accuracy. These findings highlight the relationship between DMC, paranormal beliefs, and the underlying neural mechanisms.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2024.2316415Dual mechanism controltDCSparanormal beliefsJim Grange, Keele University, United KingdomCognitive PsychologyParapsychology
spellingShingle Abdolvahed Narmashiri
Javad Hatami
Reza Khosrowabadi
The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
Cogent Psychology
Dual mechanism control
tDCS
paranormal beliefs
Jim Grange, Keele University, United Kingdom
Cognitive Psychology
Parapsychology
title The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
title_full The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
title_fullStr The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
title_full_unstemmed The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
title_short The role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs: Evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
title_sort role of dual mechanism control in paranormal beliefs evidence from behavioral and electrical stimulation studies
topic Dual mechanism control
tDCS
paranormal beliefs
Jim Grange, Keele University, United Kingdom
Cognitive Psychology
Parapsychology
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2024.2316415
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