Assessing the value of event-related potentials (ERPs) as an implicit
correlate of explicit supernatural beliefs: a high-powered preregistered
EEG study
Abstract
In this pre-registered study, we assessed the value of event-related
potentials (ERPs) as an implicit measure of individual differences in
supernatural beliefs and attitudes. Across two experiments (A and B),
two groups of participants (believers vs. non-believers) were presented
with attitude and belief statements about religious, spiritual and
control phenomena. The ERP analysis focused on the N400-effect, which is
often used as a proxy for the effortful semantic processing of
information that conflicts with one’s worldview (e.g., when believers
read atheist statements, and vice versa). At the explicit behavioral
level (i.e., button-press to agree/disagree with a statement), the two
groups of participants responded in accordance with their self-reported
beliefs. We failed, however, to find any of the hypothesized differences
on the N400-effect. Whether the absence of the expected N400-effect may
be attributed to (1) heterogeneity in believers and non-believers, (2)
design and stimulus material, and (3) choices made in the analysis, is
discussed, and improvements are suggested for future research using ERPs
as an implicit marker of supernatural belief and unbelief.