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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

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Paranormal Beliefs in Canada.

Tony Silva¹, Emily Huddart¹

¹Department of Sociology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Canadian Review of Sociology = Revue Canadienne De Sociologie

|May 5, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Nearly half of Canadians hold paranormal beliefs, with ghostly hauntings being the most common. Religious identity significantly influences these non-scientific beliefs, highlighting religion

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Area of Science:

Sociology
Psychology of Religion
Cultural Studies

Background:

No national data on paranormal beliefs in Canada for over 20 years.
Significant societal shifts, including secularization, may impact belief prevalence.
Previous research indicates a potential link between social changes and paranormal belief systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the current prevalence of paranormal beliefs in a nationally representative Canadian sample.
To identify sociodemographic factors associated with paranormal beliefs.
To determine the key variables explaining variance in paranormal beliefs.

Main Methods:

Analysis of a nationally representative sample of Canadians.
Statistical examination of sociodemographic factors and paranormal belief prevalence.
Regression analyses to identify significant predictors of paranormal beliefs.

Main Results:

44.8% of Canadians believe in at least one paranormal phenomenon.
Ghostly hauntings are the most commonly believed in phenomenon.
Religious identity and religiosity were the strongest predictors of paranormal beliefs.

Conclusions:

Paranormal beliefs remain prevalent in Canada.
Religion continues to be a significant factor in understanding non-scientific beliefs.
Societal secularization has not eliminated paranormal belief systems.