Interrelations of paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs and critical thinking disposition among undergraduate medical students of RSU

¹ Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Rıga Stradiņš University, Latvia
² Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Rıga Stradiņš University, Latvia
³ Department of Morphology, Rıga Stradiņš University, Latvia

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.