A study of 2,500 American adults found that 20% believed in Bigfoot and UFOs, while some believed in paranormal phenomena. Democrats were more likely to believe in fortune telling and astrology, while Republicans were more likely to blame Satan for evil in the world.
Humans sometimes have unshakeable beliefs about irrational things, like believing a rabbit’s foot brings good luck or planning one’s life around astrology. In 2014, the Chapman University Survey of American Fears attempted to quantify this in a comprehensive study of the fears, phobias, and irrational beliefs of 2,500 American adults. An interesting statistic they found was that about 20% of respondents believed that the legendary Bigfoot existed. And about the same number of respondents said they were confident that the universe began with the Big Bang. The study also found that beliefs in some paranormal phenomena — such as being able to influence the world with one’s thoughts or being able to predict the future based on dreams — were fairly widespread beliefs.
What is reality, what is fiction?
Just over 40% of respondents said they believed in UFOs, a considerably higher number than those who were confident global warming was real.
Democrats who participated in the poll were significantly more likely than Republicans to believe in fortune telling, and they were twice as likely to believe in astrology.
Republicans surveyed were significantly more likely than Democrats to say that Satan causes the most evil in the world.
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