The Perceived Paranormal and Source Credibility: The Effects of Narrative Suggestions On Paranormal Belief

Authors

Matthew C. Ramsey, Shippensburg University
Steven J. Venette, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Nicole Rabalais, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2011

Department

Communication Studies

School

Communication

Abstract

This study examined the effects of source credibility, message modality, and narrative suggestions on paranormal beliefs. The study was conducted on 281 participants at a large university in the southern United States. The findings support paranormal belief as a narrative malleable construct. The source credibility of the narrative character witnesses (children, university students, and scientists) was found to influence the persuasiveness of narratives; however, message modality (audio-spoken vs. written) was not observed as an influential factor of paranormal belief.

Publication Title

Atlantic Journal of Communication

Volume

19

Issue

2

First Page

79

Last Page

96

Recommended Citation

Ramsey, M. C., Venette, S. J., Rabalais, N. (2011). The Perceived Paranormal and Source Credibility: The Effects of Narrative Suggestions On Paranormal Belief. Atlantic Journal of Communication, 19(2), 79-96.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/16304