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Therapeutic encounters and the elicitation of community care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2018

Leander Steinkopf  and
Mícheál de Barra
Leander Steinkopf
Affiliation:
Scholar of Andrea von Braun Stiftung Foundation, D-81679 Munich, Germany. [email protected]://www.leandersteinkopf.com
Mícheál de Barra
Affiliation:
Centre for Culture and Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom. [email protected]
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Abstract

Singh's analysis of shamanism is regarded as a contribution to the evolutionary study of healing encounters and evolutionary medicine. Shamans must create convincing healing spectacles, while sick individuals must convincingly express symptoms and suffering to motivate community care. Both have a shared interest in convincing onlookers. This is not restricted to shamanic treatment, but is still true in modern medical care.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 41 , 2018 , e86
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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