“Dysrationalia” among university students: The role of cognitive abilities, different aspects of rational thought and self-control in explaining epistemically suspect beliefs

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Nikola Erceg https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9056-4592
• Author: Zvonimir Galić https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5710-0975
• Author: Andreja Bubić https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9122-9809
• Author's institution: University of Split; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Split
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of Psychology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Psychology

Abstract (english)

The aim of the study was to investigate the role that cognitive abilities, rational thinking abilities, cognitive styles and self-control play in explaining the endorsement of epistemically suspect beliefs among university students. A total of 159 students participated in the study. We found that different aspects of rational thought (i.e. rational thinking abilities and cognitive styles) and self-control, but not intelligence, significantly predicted the endorsement of epistemically suspect beliefs. Based on these findings, it may be suggested that intelligence and rational thinking, although related, represent two fundamentally different constructs. Thus, deviations from rational thinking could be well described by the term “dysrationalia”, meaning the inability to think rationally despite having adequate intelligence. We discuss the implications of the results, as well as some drawbacks of the study.

• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Europe’s Journal of Psychology
• Numbering: vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 159-175
• e-ISSN: 1841-0413
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v15i1.1696
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:942674
• Publication: 2019-02-28
• Document URL: https://ejop.psychopen.eu/article/view/1696
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2019-10-29 13:20:42