ABSTRACT
In chapter 2 we identified two all-pervasive processes as the roots of magical thinking: The misattribution of causation to factors superficially connected to an event but otherwise irrelevant to it, and the reification of the subjective. The following chapters illustrate the manifestations of magical thinking in specific areas of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. In this chapter, we focus specifically on the nature and dynamics of attitudes and beliefs as they relate to paranormal and occult ideologies regardless of the particular substantive content.
