Magical Thinking in First-Year Medical Students at a Public University in Mexico City

Ileana Petra-Micu¹, Mariana Fouilloux-Morales¹, Joaquín R. Gutiérrez-Soriano¹, Jose Antonio Talayero-Uriarte¹, Mario A. Perales-Oliva¹ and Beatriz Zamora-López^1,

¹Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Building F University City No. 3000. Copilco University Section, Coyoacán. Mexico City, 04510

Cite this paper:
Ileana Petra-Micu, Mariana Fouilloux-Morales, Joaquín R. Gutiérrez-Soriano, Jose Antonio Talayero-Uriarte, Mario A. Perales-Oliva and Beatriz Zamora-López. Magical Thinking in First-Year Medical Students at a Public University in Mexico City. American Journal of Educational Research. 2022; 10(5):342-348. doi: 10.12691/education-10-5-10

Abstract

Magical thinking is the attribution of the origin or relationship of events without causality to certain events. Some aspects of magical thinking persist into adulthood due to ontological confusions. In university students, some beliefs related to magical thinking continue that are in contrast with their higher studies. In medical students this contrast influences the approach to the beliefs of their patients. This work sought to comprehend the presence and characteristics of magical thinking in students who are in their first year of medical school. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,521 students of first year medical career, from a public university in Mexico City. An instrument to evaluate magical thinking consisting of 5 one-dimensional scales was modified and validated: Supernatural beliefs, supernatural experiences, psychic powers, animism, and skepticism. 36% believed in supernatural events, 32% said they had had supernatural experiences, 10% believed that psychic powers existed and 18% believed in luck, 71% considered that these beliefs were the product of ignorance and deception. The study of beliefs and practices related to magical thinking is fundamental to practice a culturally competent medicine.

Keywords:
magical thinking supernatural beliefs skepticism medical students cultural competence

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