Psychology of Anomalous Experiences: Psychometric properties of the Multivariable Multiaxial Suggestibility Inventory-2 Reduced (MMSI-2-R)

Anomalous experiences are perceptual alterations, which can be explained as possible hallucinatory symptoms (clinical model) or as a way of representing reality according to the beliefs of each individual (cognitive or phenomenological model). The aim of this study was to explore how these experiences are developed in the general population integrating both models. The statistical justification of the Multivariable Multiaxial Suggestibility Inventory -2 Reduced (MMSI-2-R) was completed in a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 1,773 participants. In the same way, subjects came from three different Spanish communities: Madrid, Albacete and Barcelona. Factor Analysis resulted in six factors, which offered high reliable indices. In order to integrate the cognitive model as a possible interpretative criterion, scores were scaled conforming different attitudes in front of anomalous experiences: believers in the paranormal (magical beliefs), agnostic attitude and non-believers. It was concluded that believers tend to develop these alterations in a more frequent way than non-believers.