Description

The Greek Preferences Questionnaire (GPQ-40) is a psychometric assessment instrument developed to evaluate the extent to which individuals endorse superstitious beliefs and irrational attitudes in everyday life. The questionnaire explores not only traditional Greek superstitions but also a broader range of cognitive beliefs and behavioral tendencies associated with uncertainty, decision-making, and risk perception.

The instrument assesses six major domains, including superstitious beliefs, impulsivity, gambling behavior, involvement in stock market activities, forwarding emails related to fears or superstitions, and beliefs regarding lucky charms and amulets. The GPQ-40 is primarily used in psychological, sociological, and behavioral research to investigate how superstitious beliefs influence attitudes, judgments, and everyday decision-making. It also provides valuable insights into the relationship between irrational beliefs and various forms of risk-related behavior, contributing to a deeper understanding of cognitive biases within the Greek cultural context.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

The analysis of Greek Preferences Questionnaire (GPQ-40) data is based on participants’ responses across the instrument’s multiple domains, aiming to assess the degree of endorsement of superstitious beliefs and their associations with other psychological and behavioral characteristics.

Statistical analyses typically include descriptive and inferential procedures, as well as psychometric evaluations such as internal consistency analysis (Cronbach’s alpha), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and correlation analyses with variables including impulsivity, decision-making, risk-taking behavior, gambling participation, and cognitive biases. The results can be used to compare different demographic or cultural groups, investigate predictors of irrational beliefs, and support the development of educational or psychological interventions designed to enhance critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making.

Objective

The primary objective of the Greek Preferences Questionnaire (GPQ-40) is to assess the extent to which individuals endorse superstitious beliefs and irrational perceptions that influence their daily choices and behaviors.

In addition, the instrument aims to examine the relationships between superstition and characteristics such as impulsivity, gambling behavior, financial decision-making, and the acceptance or dissemination of information based on fear or superstition. The questionnaire contributes to the understanding of the cognitive and social mechanisms underlying irrational beliefs and supports research into cultural influences on judgment, behavior, and decision-making.

Scoring

The Greek Preferences Questionnaire (GPQ-40) consists of 40 items, of which 4 collect demographic information, while the remaining items assess six principal domains: superstitious beliefs, impulsivity, gambling behavior, stock market involvement, forwarding fear-related emails, and beliefs regarding lucky charms and amulets.

Most items are scored using a 7-point Likert scale, where:

  • 1 = Strongly Disagree
  • 7 = Strongly Agree

The questionnaire also includes several closed-ended items using both dichotomous and multiple-choice response formats. Total and domain-specific scores are used to evaluate the degree to which respondents endorse superstitious beliefs and related behavioral tendencies. According to the available information, there is currently insufficient published evidence regarding the psychometric reliability and validity of the instrument, and additional validation studies are warranted before widespread clinical application.

References

  • Tsimpouri, A. (2018). The Role of Irrational Beliefs in Consumer Behavior. Master’s Thesis, University of Piraeus.