Swedish Study Links Reality TV to Belief in the Supernatural
Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden examined how watching reality shows that feature mystical events might influence viewers to believe in supernatural phenomena. The findings appeared in Popular Media Psychology (PPM).
The study gathered data from 601 volunteers aged 18 to 56. Participants completed the Jerome Tobasik Paranormal Beliefs Scale, a 26‑item questionnaire assessing belief in gods, unusual life forms, and other paranormal ideas rooted in traditional beliefs. After reading a statement about one form of a paranormal phenomenon, each person indicated agreement or disagreement on a structured scale.
Paranormal events are defined here as occurrences that challenge the basic limits of scientific explanation. They can be grouped into three categories: superpowers such as clairvoyance or telekinesis, pseudoscientific practices like numerology and astrology, and natural anomalies or entities that people interpret as evidence of supernatural forces or other worlds.
Participants also rated how often they watched eight different types of horror media. These included subgenres like paranormal fiction, films claimed to be based on true events, productions tied to alleged photographic evidence, mystical reality programs, movies about monsters or maniacs, psychological horror, and horror comedies. Responses were given on a seven‑point scale ranging from no viewing to daily viewing.
Results indicated that psychological horror was the most popular subgenre, while paranormal reality television was the least favored. Most respondents leaned toward skepticism about paranormal claims, and only a minority held a strong belief in paranormal existence. Nevertheless, exposure to true story horror movies and paranormal reality programming showed a positive association with belief in the supernatural.
The data suggest that content presented as realistic and believable can exert a stronger persuasive effect on viewers. In contrast, horror material that is not framed as real does not appear to shift attitudes toward paranormal events.
These findings align with prior research exploring why people report experiences they interpret as ghostly encounters and highlight the role of perceived realism in media influence.
Attribution: study details and outcomes are based on the work summarized in Popular Media Psychology with data drawn from the Uppsala University project and related publications.