Abstract Previous research has demonstrated a link between illusory pattern perception and various irrational beliefs. On this basis, we hypothesized that participants who displayed greater degrees of would also be more likely to rate pseudo-profound bullshit statements as profound. We find support for prediction across three experiments (N = 627) four distinct measures perception. further demonstrate observed relation is restricted perception, with displaying endorsement non-illusory...

The present work (N = 1906 U.S. residents) investigates the extent to which peoples' evaluations of actions can be biased by strategic use euphemistic (agreeable) and dysphemistic (disagreeable) terms. We find that participants' are made more favorable replacing a disagreeable term (e.g., torture) with semantically related agreeable enhanced interrogation) in an act's description. Notably, influence terms was reduced (but not eliminated) when making less ambiguous providing participants...

Abstract Across four studies participants ( N = 818) rated the profoundness of abstract art images accompanied with varying categories titles, including: pseudo-profound bullshit titles (e.g., The Deaf Echo ), mundane Canvas 8 and no titles. Randomly generated increased perceived computer-generated art, compared to when were present (Study 1). Mundane did not enhance perception profoundness, indicating that specifically (as opposed in general) 2). Furthermore, these effects generalize...

A consistent finding reported in the literature is that epistemically suspect beliefs (e.g., paranormal beliefs) are less frequently endorsed by individuals with a greater tendency to think analytically. However, these results have been observed predominantly Western participants. In present work, we explore various individual differences known predict across both and Eastern cultures. Across four studies Japanese (n = 666) 650) individuals, find association between thinking style varied as...

The domain of gambling is rife with both diagnostic and non-diagnostic information. Previous studies examining scratch card have demonstrated that people are often biased by intuitively appealing, yet information (i.e., unclaimed prize information). current study investigated how varying the presentation format a piece payback percentage) could influence participants’ use this when in conflict We hypothesized percentage was presented graphical, as opposed to numerical format, participants...

We examine the impact of partisan language (i.e., that describes events in a manner supports political agenda), both with regard to peoples' perceptions speakers who use it and their evaluations is used describe. Two experiments recruited 1,121 Democrats Republicans from United States. Using set liberal-biased (e.g., expand voting rights) conservative-biased reduce election security) terms, we find partisans judge describing polarizing using ideologically-congruent as more trustworthy than...

Using participants who have been previously exposed to experimental stimuli (referred as non-naïveté) can reduce effect sizes. The workforce of Amazon's Mechanical Turk is particularly vulnerable this problem and solutions are usually cost time inefficient mixed effectiveness. In response its currently underwhelming solutions, we tested various participant recruitment strategies designed recruit naïve frequently used stimuli. We collected samples using maximum HIT restrictions (50 for...

Scratch cards are a popular form of lottery gambling available in many jurisdictions. However, there is paucity research that examines associations between individual differences thinking style, participation scratch card gambling, and problem severity.In three studies, we sought to examine the relationships among these variables large, online samples participants. Participants completed Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), Actively Open-Minded Thinking...

Navigating social systems efficiently is critical to our species. Humans appear endowed with a cognitive system that has formed meet the unique challenges emerge for highly Bullshitting, communication characterised by an intent be convincing or impressive without concern truth, ubiquitous within human societies. Across two studies (N = 1,017), we assess participants' ability produce satisfying and seemingly accurate bullshit as honest signal of their intelligence. We find associated...

Across four studies participants (N = 818) rated the profoundness of abstract art images accompanied with varying categories titles, including: pseudo-profound bullshit titles (e.g., The Deaf Echo), mundane Canvas 8), and no titles. Randomly generated increased perceived computer-generated art, compared to when were present (Study 1). Mundane did not enhance perception profoundness, indicating that specifically (as opposed in general) 2). Furthermore, we find these effects generalize...

The Portland Metropolitan region, a single economic and ecological region with bifurcated state local governance structure, provides an opportunity to compare models policy environments in region. Using stakeholder interviews secondary sources, we examine the role of government shaping supporting different regimes. We find that exhibits stable, “smart-growth” regime characterized as metropolitan eco-regime whereas Vancouver is period fragmentation without stable regime. This best explained...