Predictors and Associates of Problem–Reaction–Solution: Statistical Bias, Emotion-Based Reasoning, and Belief in the Paranormal

2018/01/01 by Kenneth Drinkwater, Neil Dagnall, Andrew Denovan +2 · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Neuroscience · Computer Science · Psychology · Mathematics · #Misinformation and Its Impacts #Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment #Advanced Text Analysis Techniques #Paranormal #Psychology #Social psychology #Appeal #Randomness #Cognitive psychology #Statistics #Mathematics #Law

paper · pdf · doi:10.1177/2158244018762999

openalex publication_date 2018/01/01 · openalex created_date 2018/03/29 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Major conspiracy theorists propose that problem–reaction–solution (PRS) functions as a mechanism for constructing and exaggerating social problems to garner populist support for the implementation (imposition) of laws that society would normally deem unacceptable. To evaluate this supposition, 248 participants recruited through convenience sampling, completed measures assessing PRS, statistical bias, emotion-based reasoning (EBR), and belief in the paranormal. Structural equation modeling revealed differential relationships existed between components of statistical bias, EBR, and belief endorsement (PRS and paranormal). Specifically, proneness to conjunction error predicted PRS, whereas misperception of randomness and to an extent EBR best explained belief in the paranormal. These results indicated that respondents were willing to accept PRS scenarios as legitimate and validate PRS-proposed solutions based on rational rather than emotional appeal.

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Cited by

• David Icke [wikipedia]