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The motivational underpinnings of religion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2005

Mark Jordan Landau*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ85721-0068
Jeff Greenberg*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ85721-0068
Sheldon Solomon*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY12866

Abstract:

Terror management theory and research can rectify shortcomings in Atran & Norenzayan's (A&N's) analysis of religion. (1) Religious and secular worldviews are much more similar than the target article supposes; (2) a propensity for embracing supernatural beliefs is likely to have conferred an adaptive advantage over the course of evolution; and (3) the claim that supernatural agent beliefs serve a terror management function independent of worldview bolstering is not empirically supported.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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