The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Religion

by James R. Liddle, Todd K. Shackelford

Overview

The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Religion offers a comprehensive and compelling review of research in religious beliefs and practices from an evolutionary perspective on human psychology. The chapters, written by renowned experts on human behavior and religion, explore a number of subtopics within one of three themes: (1) the psychological mechanisms of religion, (2) evolutionary perspectives on the functionality of religion, and (3) evolutionary perspectives on religion and group living.

This handbook unites the theoretical and empirical work of leading scholars in the evolutionary, cognitive, and anthropological sciences to produce an extensive and authoritative review of this literature. Its interdisciplinary approach makes it an important resource for a broad spectrum of researchers, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates who are interested in studying the factors and mechanisms that underlie and/or affect religious beliefs and behaviors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199397747
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/01/2021
Series:	Oxford Library of Psychology
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 6.80(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

James R. Liddle is a technical writer with 11 years of professional writing experience. He received a Master of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology, specializing in evolutionary psychology, from Florida Atlantic University in 2014. His primary areas of interest and expertise are the evolution of religious beliefs/behaviors and teaching evolutionary psychology.

Todd K. Shackelford is Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan., where he is Co-Director of the Evolutionary Psychology Lab. He received his Ph.D. in evolutionary psychology in 1997 from the University of Texas at Austin. Much of Dr. Shackelford's research addresses sexual conflict between men and women, with a special focus on men's physical, emotional, and sexual violence against their intimate partners.

Table of Contents

1 An Introduction to Evolutionary Perspectives on Religion James R. Liddle Todd K. Shackelford 1

2 Mickey, Yahweh, and Zeus: Why Cultural Learning Is Essential for the Evolutionary Study of Religion Will M. Gervais 18

3 The Diversity of Religious Systems Across History: An Evolutionary Cognitive Approach Pascal Boyer Nicolas Baumard 34

4 Religion as Anthropomorphism: A Cognitive Theory Stewart Elliott Guthrie 48

5 Evolutionary Developmental Psychology of Children's Religious Beliefs Tyler S. Greenway Justin L. Barrett 69

6 Belief, Ritual, and the Evolution of Religion Matt J. Rossano Benjamin Vandewalle 83

7 Adolescence and Religion: An Evolutionary Perspective Candace S. Alcorta 99

8 Religion and Morality: The Evolution of the Cognitive Nexus John Teehan 117

9 The Kin Selection of Religion Bernard Crespi 135

10 The Coevolution of Religious Belief and Intuitive Cognitive Style via Individual-Level Selection Michael N. Stagnaro David G. Rand 153

11 The Early Origin of Religion: Its Role as a Survival Kit Kenneth V. Kardong 174

12 The Elephant in the Pews: Reproductive Strategy and Religiosity Jason Weeden Robert Kurzban Douglas T. Kenrick 182

13 Religion: An Evolutionary Evoked Disease-Avoidance Strategy John A. Terrizzi Jr. Natalie J. Shook 198

14 Religion as a Means of Perceived Security: Testing the Secure Society Theory James R. Liddle 213

15 Charismatic Signaling: How Religion Stabilizes Cooperation and Entrenches Inequality John H. Shaver Gloria Fraser Joseph Bulbulia 230

16 The Evolution of Religion and Morality Azim F. Shariff Brett Mercier 246

17 The Roots of Intergroup Conflict and the Co-optation of the Religious System: An Evolutionary Perspective on Religious Terrorism Jordan Kiper Richard Sosis 265

18 Selected to Kill in His Name: Evolutionary Perspectives on Religiously Motivated Violence Yael Sela Nicole Barbara 282

19 Supernatural Beliefs and the Evolution of Cooperation Pierrick Bourrat Hugo Viciana 297

20 A Socioevolutionary Approach to Religious Change Ryan T. Cragun J. E. Sumerau 315

21 The Evolution and Exploitation of Transcendence Gregory Gorelik 333

22 Challenges to an Evolutionary Perspective on Religion Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi 356

Index 375

Editorial Reviews

"This book offers a comprehensive, up-to-date collection of essays reviewing the most powerful explanations for the origins and evolution of religious beliefs and behaviors, authored by top experts in relevant disciplines, including a new and growing field labeled "cognitive science of religion." The main strength of this edited volume is its trans-disciplinary approach. The hows and whys of religious thinking and practices are examined through the lenses of anthropology, biology, and psychology" — J-B. Leca, University of Lethbridge, Choice Connect

From the Publisher