Abstract

In a previous paper by M. A. Thalbourne and P. S. Delin it was reported that the level of belief in, and alleged experience of, the paranormal was no different between a control group of university students and 2 psychotic groups (manic-depressives and schizophrenics). Doubts were raised even then in that report about the appropriateness of the student controls. Here an alternative control group is presented--support-givers of those suffering from panic attacks--and it is argued that they are considerably more representative of the general population and are therefore a more appropriate control group. Statistical comparison revealed that the manic-depressives and schizophrenics are, as originally expected, significantly higher on the sheep-goat variable than are the support-givers. An explanation is given in terms of transliminality.