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The evolutionary social psychology of religious beliefs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2005

Lee A. Kirkpatrick*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA23187-8795http://faculty.wm.edu/lakirk

Abstract:

Atran & Norenzayan (A&N) are correct that religion is an evolutionary by-product, not an adaptation, but they do not go far enough. Once supernatural beliefs are enabled by processes they describe, numerous social-cognitive mechanisms related to attachment, social exchange, coalitional psychology, status and dominance, and kinship are crucial for explaining the specific forms religion takes and individual and cultural differences therein.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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