Belief in, and alleged experience of, the paranormal in ostensible UFO abductees

Abstract

It has often been asserted anecdotally that the UFO phenomenon is associated with reports of the paranormal. Thus far a statistical study has not been conducted. In the present research, a measure of belief in and alleged experience of the paranormalthe 18- item forced-choice Australian Sheep-Goat Scalewas administered to 21 self-selected ostensible UFO abductees and their responses compared with those of a control group301 students. It was found that abductees reported significantly greater belief in, and alleged experience of, the paranormal (ESP, PK and life after death). The anecdotal reports were thus confirmed. However, it should not be concluded until more research is carried out that the abductees are necessarily more psychic.