Demonstrating the concurrent validity of two coincidence measures

Abstract

Given the hypothesized relationship between paranormal belief and attribution of psychic causes to coincidences, two coincidence measures (each with five items about coincidences) are tested for their concurrent validity against Thalbourne’s (1995) Australian Sheep-Goat Scale (ASGS). The two measures significantly predict ASGS scores, and for both measures, sheep tended to give higher ratings to the coincidences than did goats. It is concluded that coincidence measures do not necessarily serve the same function as paranormal belief/experience scales, but they may be serviceable substitutes or aids in specific research situations.