Skip to Main Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit an ETD
Global Search Box
Need Help?
Keyword Search
Participating Institutions
Advanced Search
School Logo
Files
File List
ohiou1304531829.pdf (479.37 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
It's a Miracle: Separating the Miraculous from the Mundane
Author Info
Ransom, Michael R.
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1304531829
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2011, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
Abstract
What aspects of events impel people to label them as miraculous? Four studies examined various factors that lead people to designate an event as a miracle. The first study was conducted in order to identify the basic elements of laypersons’ miracle beliefs. To do so, we had participants define a miracle, list five events that they considered miraculous, and state what they believe to be the purpose of miracles. Results showed that people tend to view miracles as highly improbable and beneficial occurrences and that they occur to instill hope and faith in people, showing God’s power in the natural world. Studies 2 and 3 investigated whether people’s miracle judgments are malleable and found that people tend to label events as miracles when the events in question were of high magnitude, obtained in an unusual manner, personally affected the event’s protagonist, involved a person of worthy character, and resulted in an altruistic, beneficial health outcome as well as when the events benefited another person’s physical welfare, were of personal relevance, and depicted a low-probability event. Study 4 also showed that miracle events should have a low probability and demonstrated that miracle judgments can be influenced by just world and free will beliefs.
Committee
Mark Alicke, D (Committee Chair)
Keith Markman (Committee Member)
Matt Vess (Committee Member)
Ronaldo Viggo (Committee Member)
Robert Shelly (Committee Member)
Pages
112 p.
Subject Headings
Social Psychology
Keywords
miracle
;
God
;
attribution
;
religion
Recommended Citations
Refworks
EndNote
RIS
Mendeley
Citations
Ransom, M. R. (2011).
It's a Miracle: Separating the Miraculous from the Mundane
[Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1304531829
APA Style (7th edition)
Ransom, Michael.
It's a Miracle: Separating the Miraculous from the Mundane.
2011. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1304531829.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Ransom, Michael. "It's a Miracle: Separating the Miraculous from the Mundane." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1304531829
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
Abstract Footer
Document number:
ohiou1304531829
Download Count:
928
Copyright Info
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.