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Cultic Studies Journal
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Personality,
Belief in the Paranormal, and Involvement with Satanic Practices Among Young Adult Males:
Dabblers Versus Gamers
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Psychological
Manipulation and Society: cults, cult groups, new religious movements
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Cultic
Studies Journal
Psychological Manipulation and Society
Vol. 12, No. 2, 1995
Personality,
Belief in the Paranormal, and Involvement with Satanic Practices Among Young Adult Males:
Dabblers Versus Gamers
- Stuart M. Leeds
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between fantasy role-playing games, such as
Dungeons & Dragons, and satanic practices. Anonymous questionnaires, completed by 217
adult male subjects, were categorized into noninvolvement (control n=125), fantasy
role-playing gamers (n=66), and satanic dabbler groups (n=26). Subjects were measured for
personal-ity dimensions of psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism using the Eysenck
Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R); for beliefs in paranormal phenomena using the Belief in
the Paranormal Scale (BPS); and for involvement in gaming and satanic practices using the Satanic
and Fantasy Envelopment (SAFE) survey. A series of one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlations
revealed that fantasy gamers are different from satanic dabblers in major personality
characteristics, paranormal beliefs,
and interest in satanic practices. The satanic dabblers were significantly higher on
psychoticism, introversion, and belief in the paranormal. The evidence is not consistent
with the hypothesis that fantasy role-playing games are precursors to satanic practices.
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CSJ