title: Paranormal belief, schizotypy, and Body Mass Index.
abstract: There are indications that subjects with schizotypal personality have a lower Body Mass Index. Also schizotypal personality is linked to a higher incidence of paranormal belief. In this study we examined whether low Body Mass Index is also linked to paranormal belief. In a pilot study 48 students of psychology (85.4% women) between the ages of 20 and 27 years were administered a questionnaire assessing weight, height, and paranormal belief. Analysis suggested an association between belief in paranormal phenomena and low Body Mass Index. In a follow-up study with 300 subjects and equal sex distribution, the relationship was examined under control of schizotypy. The results for Body Mass Index could not be confirmed; however, paranormal belief was heavily associated with the cognitive-perceptual component of schizotypy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Basic Research, Faculty of Psychology, The University in Vienna, Austria. andreas.hergovich@univie.ac.at
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hergovich
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Willinger
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arendasy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010268:Parapsychology; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires