British scientists have studied more than 70 studies over the years and eventually found a link between belief in the paranormal and cognitive function, Medical Xpress reported.

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, led by Charlotte Dean, have been studying the potential link between cognitive functioning and belief in paranormal phenomena such as psychokinesis, ghosts and clairvoyance for several decades.  Dean and her colleagues systematically identified and evaluated 71 studies prepared between 1980 and 2020.

A number of cognitive functions, such as reasoning ability, thinking style and memory, were analyzed in the studies. Overall, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that belief in the paranormal is associated with differences or deficits in cognitive functions. For example, a particularly strong relationship was found between paranormal beliefs and intuitive thinking style.

The review showed that most of the studies were based on qualitative methodology, and that their quality has improved over time; for example, most of them had clear goals and appropriate research plans.

That said, the authors note that the literature has not identified a specific cognitive functioning profile for believers in the paranormal. They suggest that future research may not only address the methodological flaws they noted, but also explore the possibility that paranormal beliefs may be associated with more overarching differences in cognition, which may help explain why past studies have found links to seemingly disparate types of cognitive dysfunction.

"Four decades of research show that belief in the paranormal is related to our degree of cognitive flexibility and fluid intelligence (an abstract form of intelligence - ed.), but methodological improvements in future research are needed to further understand this connection," the study authors noted.