Abstract
Magical and paranormal beliefs have been found in all cultures
and strata of society, including medical university students. Critical thinking
skills and dispositions are generally considered desirable outcomes of
the educational process. Nevertheless, there is the lack of conceptual
clarity about interrelations between the magical and critical thinking. Aim
of the study is to explore prevalence of magical, paranormal beliefs
and pseudoscientific beliefs among undergraduate medical students, as
well as to explore prevalence of critical thinking dispositions among
medical students and to assess interrelations and psychodynamics between
“noncritical” forms of thinking – magical, paranormal and pseudoscientific
beliefs, and critical thinking disposition. The results showed statistically
significant negative correlation between paranormal beliefs and critical
thinking disposition if students are put in optional situation between opposite
statements. If statements in assessment scales do not put respondents in
optional situation, their results do not show significant correlations
and strata of society, including medical university students. Critical thinking
skills and dispositions are generally considered desirable outcomes of
the educational process. Nevertheless, there is the lack of conceptual
clarity about interrelations between the magical and critical thinking. Aim
of the study is to explore prevalence of magical, paranormal beliefs
and pseudoscientific beliefs among undergraduate medical students, as
well as to explore prevalence of critical thinking dispositions among
medical students and to assess interrelations and psychodynamics between
“noncritical” forms of thinking – magical, paranormal and pseudoscientific
beliefs, and critical thinking disposition. The results showed statistically
significant negative correlation between paranormal beliefs and critical
thinking disposition if students are put in optional situation between opposite
statements. If statements in assessment scales do not put respondents in
optional situation, their results do not show significant correlations
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | SHS Web of Conferences |
Editors | L. Vilka, J. Vike |
Number of pages | 12 |
Volume | 85 (2020) |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-2-7598-9112-2 |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Event | 7th International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference "Society. Health. Welfare": Contemporary Social Dynamics and Welfare: Urban and Rural Development Perspectives - Riga, Latvia Duration: 10 Oct 2018 → 12 Oct 2018 Conference number: 7 http://www.blocket.lv/sites/default/files/2020-02/RSU_7th%20International%20conference_abstracts_2018.pdf |
Conference
Conference | 7th International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference "Society. Health. Welfare" |
---|---|
Country/Territory | Latvia |
City | Riga |
Period | 10/10/18 → 12/10/18 |
Internet address |
Keywords*
- magical thinking
- paranormal beliefs
- pseudoscientific thinking
- critical thinking disposition
Field of Science*
- 5.1 Psychology
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.2. Articles or chapters in other proceedings other than those included in 3.1., with an ISBN or ISSN code