Media Coverage of Parapsychology and the Prevalence of Irrational Beliefs

Scientific investigation of the paranormal is ignored in France, and it has been suggested that this is the reason for the proliferation of irrational beliefs there. This article examines that thesis. Media coverage of parapsychology in France and the UK are compared. Research in parapsychology is almost completely disregarded by the French media but is well reported by the British media. However, surveys already conducted in France and UK show that irrational belief is as widespread in the UK as it is in France. In France, the dismissal of parapsychological research is real, but this dismissal is not responsible for the proliferation of irrational belief.