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The Psychology of Beliefs
The topic of beliefs is vast and diffuse. It crosses many disciplinary
boundaries both within psychology and across many traditional disciplines. The topic is
important to psychology and is generally under-investigated. For the moment I have focused
on the psychology of anomalous beliefs, those beliefs in powers and phenomena that lie
outside what is considered normal science. This accounts for the emphasis on ESP,
astrology, the paranormal generally, UFO abductions, and the like. In order to account for
people's real experiences in these areas, one has to deal with topics that while perfectly
respectable in themselves have not always had an easy relationship with mainstream
psychology. So I include material on hypnosis, altered states of consciousness,
hallucinations, and the like. It is obviously important also to understand the mechanisms
by which people come to hold anomalous beliefs, and so herein there is material on cults,
brainwashing, recovery of repressed memories and the like.
I welcome suggestions for additions or changes.
sch@rice.edu