The impact of Paranormal Belief of Orientation to Happiness of Youth in Pakistan (Research Paper Sample)

4953005778500ijcrb.webs.com

NOVEMBER 2013





INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS VOL 5, NO 7






The Impact of Belief in Paranormal Activities on Orientation to Happiness of youth in Pakistan
Syed Nadeem Abbas
Student of MS at Mohammad Ali Jinnah University
Islamabad Pakistan
Abstract
This paper analyzed the relationship between belief in paranormal activity and orientation to happiness among the youth of Pakistan. The method of linear regression was deployed to analyze the respective model. The research effort concludes that there is no significant relation between the two considered constructs among the target audience.
Key Words Paranormal Belief, Orientation to Happiness, Youth in Pakistan, Belief in Paranormal, Religion, Educational Psychology
Introduction
The presence of paranormal beliefs is widely spread in all nations of the world. However, negligible empirical evidence had been presented to support these beliefs. In developed nations, the notion of the paranormal is currently being scrutinized intensively and therefore many of these paranormal ideas are falling apart. Historically the earth was believed to be flat but it melted away when science proved it wrong.
In the less developed world, the paranormal beliefs are well integrated in the societies and therefore it is very difficult to challenge them. But scientific minded people do not believe in the paranormal because there is not sufficient empirical data proving the existence of paranormal power. Nevertheless, most of the paranormal beliefs do not withstand prolonged scientific evaluation.
According to many scholars, humans keep on seeking happiness over the span of an entire life. Humans in major cases consider their professions, families, and financial well-being as sources of happiness. But in developing nations majority of the population is noted to find happiness by believing in paranormal ideas. This paper will evaluate the above-mentioned type of thinking on a scientific basis.
The description of the key variables of this study is as follows:
Belief in Paranormal Activities
This paper commences its review of the existing literature on the topic of paranormal activities by defining the phenomenon that can be defined as something which human mind cannot comprehend and therefore identifies it as beyond normal. Unnatural beliefs are those concepts that cannot be explained with the help of common scientific laws (Brugger & Mohr, 2008).
The opposers of the paranormal belief somehow have a higher tendency to believe in the supernatural, when confronted with an event they cannot comprehend with the help of scientific laws(Lamont, 2007). It is very important to note that the modifications in a belief system take place due to some human error such as people do not necessarily evaluate the so-called paranormal activities empirically.
The nature of Hampton Court Hauntings is identified as superficial by conducting a visit of the place. One group of the participants was told prior to the visit that the place is normal and has no historical reports of supernatural activity. Surprisingly, the group did not report any paranormal activity. However it is quite fascinating to know that those visitors who were told that the place is ghostly before the visit, have reported the place disturbed after concluding their short visit(Wiseman, Watt, Greening, Stevens, & Stevens, 2002). It is safe to assume that the belief in the paranormal is strengthened or weakened by the quality of prior information.
People with heightened imagination also have a higher degree of belief in the paranormal(Gow,
Hutchinson, & Chant, 2009). As imaginative individuals’ ability to follow scientific thinking
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becomes impaired that plays a significant role in heightening the paranormal belief. The social and peer pressures are also noted to foster paranormal belief(Raz, Hines, Fossella, & Castro, 2008).
Paranormal activities are particularly associated with the Prophets and Saints because they are historically believed to be the center of spiritual powers (Huntley & Peeters, 2005). People are highly attached with the possibility of supernatural on an emotional level as this concept is associated with saints(Hart, 2008). Human ability to predict future events such as results of Random Number Generators is considered limited as well(Bosch, Steinkamp, & Boller, 2006) and therefore individuals claiming to have such powers should be scrutinized and their claims must be tested with doubt.
Cognitive-Experential Self theory explained that humans are lazy and therefore they analyze paranormal events superficially without using scientific principles(King, Burton, Hicks, & Drigotas, 2007). Additionally, Christians have a faith that paranormal activities are taking place in the daily lives as humans pray to God (Williams, Francis, Astley, & Robbins, 2009). Jews on the other side are famous to have heightened religious beliefs and practices, which are assisting them in performing their jobs effectively in the medical profession (Lazar, 2009). Heightened believe in a religion can influence rationality (Tam, Shiah, Yuan, Li, & Kuo, 2004) and it is believed that questioning of the sacred and religious beliefs has caused revolutions in the history (Chen, Cheung, Bond, & Leung, 2006). Religious thinking must be challenged in order to abolish myths and non-tested concepts.
Along with these studies, another one related heightened self-belief of possessing supernatural muscle with people’s ability to find a purpose in the life (Williams, Francis, & Robbins, Implicit Religion and the Quest for Meaning, 2011). Nevertheless, an individual that has an enhanced self-image may have the tendency to become lethargic (Senge) because of his or her false belief of intelligence. This tendency could restrict him or her from hardworking that is a prerequisite for success. Based on above citation it can be assumed that if humans put effort in doing something then they can achieve their purpose with or without believing in spiritual advantage. Thus, conclusively it could be said that human effort is far more superior to a mere belief of possessing supernatural powers.
Orientation to Happiness
Orientation to happiness is defined, as the level of an individual’s desire, need, and ability of extracting pleasure and bliss of life (Haybron, 2007). It was found that youngsters with a habit of daily exercise exhibit less signs of hopelessness and therefore enjoy higher life contentment.
The educational experts should try to guide pupils towards a field which is according to their personality type and interests(Lubinski & Benbow, 2000). This could foster happiness because humans have a tendency to remain happy while doing what they like and want to do. It was highlighted that excessive internet usage can cause youngsters to experience inappropriate content such as explicit sexual content or e-abuse, which can cause the target population to get depressed and therefore, their happiness levels could demolish (Guan & Subrahmanyam, 2009).
Another study found that blood relations could play a notable role in enhancing youth’s life contentment and happiness in Mexican society. But, it is imperative to note that family and peers could help an individual in terms of gathering happiness only in a collective culture. In case of individualistic culture peer pressure is not an ideal strategy for increasing one’s happiness. (Edwards & Lopez, 2006).
According to elementary research on the topic, it was found that individuals experience pain and disappointment over the span of their life. However, somehow, they tend to revert towards their basic skills in order to amplify their happiness (Clark, Lucas, Georgellis, Lucas, & Diener). It was found that individuals experience different level of peace with life as time passes. The changes in the level of life contentment and happiness occur roughly within every five years(Fujita & Diener, 2005).
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When the research continued even further, it revealed a very high level of positive link between the constructs of desire to be happy and person’s will to attain excellence in his or her profession. Therefore, this observation highlights the importance of dedication to work regarding happiness in life (Chen, Cheung, Bond, & Leung, 2006). Heightened life contentment and will to gather happiness mitigates the possibility of suffering from mental illness in youth(Proctor, Linley, & Maltby, 2009). In a similar study a supportive link between the tendency to enjoy online games and overall happiness with life (Wang, Chen, Lin, & Wang, 2008).
Interestingly, youngsters have the overwhelming tendency to establish unrealistic goals and expectations about life and failure to attain them will cause a notable decrease in happiness (Frijters, Greenwell, Haisken-DeNew, & Shields, 2009). People’s individual happiness with life often effectively predicts the success of their matrimonial relations (Stanley, Ragan, Rhoades, & Markman, 2012).
Socio-scientists on the other hand are of the view that youngsters should keep a smile on their fa...