Thinking styles, schizotypal traits and anomalous experiences

This study investigated the relationship between thinking styles (rational versus intuitive). schizotypal traits, intolerance of ambiguity, self-effic acy and anomalous experiences (self-reported paranormal abilities, experien ces, beliefs) in a sample of university students (N = 374, 206 females and 168 males). Correlational analyses showed that the anomalous experiences we re closely related to schizotypal traits and thinking styles. A cluster analysis revealed four types of thinking styles: rational (high r ational and low intuitive), intuitive (high intuitive and low rational), co mplementary (high rational and high intuitive) and poor (low rational and l ow intuitive). Participants with a complementary thinking style showed high er scores on the anomalous experiences, on the cognitive-perceptual aspects of schizotypy and self-efficacy than members of the other groups. Intuitiv e thinkers scored highest on interpersonal aspects of schizotypy and interp ersonal intolerance of ambiguity. Further research should take into account the influence of thinking processes on the underlying mechanisms of schizo typy and the paranormal. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .