Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Explanatory Coexistence

Topics in Cognitive Science
Rachel E Watson-JonesCristine H Legare

Abstract

Natural and supernatural explanations are used to interpret the same events in a number of predictable and universal ways. Yet little is known about how variation in diverse cultural ecologies influences how people integrate natural and supernatural explanations. Here, we examine explanatory coexistence in three existentially arousing domains of human thought: illness, death, and human origins using qualitative data from interviews conducted in Tanna, Vanuatu. Vanuatu, a Melanesian archipelago, provides a cultural context ideal for examining variation in explanatory coexistence due to the lack of industrialization and the relatively recent introduction of Christianity and Western education. We argue for the integration of interdisciplinary methodologies from cognitive science and anthropology to inform research on explanatory coexistence.

References

Oct 16, 2004·Psychological Review·Douglas L Medin, Scott Atran
Mar 15, 2006·Journal of Investigative Surgery : the Official Journal of the Academy of Surgical Research·Luis H Toledo-Pereyra
May 12, 2006·Child Development·Paul L Harris, Melissa A Koenig
Dec 22, 2006·Developmental Science·Paul L Harris
Aug 24, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Megan BangScott Atran
Aug 20, 2008·Cognitive Psychology·Cristine H LegareSusan A Gelman
Jun 17, 2010·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Joseph HenrichAra Norenzayan
Jun 1, 2008·Cognitive Science·Rita Astuti, Paul L Harris
Mar 16, 2012·Child Development·Cristine H LegarePaul L Harris
May 16, 2012·Topics in Cognitive Science·Rita Astuti, Maurice Bloch
Jun 12, 2012·Topics in Cognitive Science·Annelie Rothe
Jun 20, 2012·Topics in Cognitive Science·Harvey Whitehouse, Emma Cohen
Sep 6, 2012·CBE Life Sciences Education·John D Coley, Kimberly D Tanner
Oct 1, 2011·Annual Review of Anthropology·Susan A Gelman, Cristine H Legare
Feb 8, 2014·Psychological Science·Deborah KelemenPatricia A Ganea
Feb 28, 2014·Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development·Peggy J MillerIsabel T Gutiérrez

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 5, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Andrea Bender, Sieghard Beller
Dec 2, 2015·Topics in Cognitive Science·Aaron M McCrightThomas Dietz
Nov 28, 2015·Topics in Cognitive Science·Andrew Shtulman, Kelsey Harrington
May 6, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Andrea Bender, Sieghard Beller
Sep 10, 2015·Topics in Cognitive Science·Andrea BenderNancy J Nersessian
Oct 28, 2016·The British Journal of Developmental Psychology·Justin T A BuschCristine H Legare
Nov 20, 2016·Cognitive Science·Rachel E Watson-JonesCristine H Legare
Nov 26, 2019·Topics in Cognitive Science·Andrew Shtulman, Cristine H Legare
Jul 1, 2020·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Cristine H LegareOskar Burger
Oct 11, 2020·Cognitive Science·Justin T A BuschCristine H Legare

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Topics in Cognitive Science
David B Kronenfeld
Kango kenkyu. The Japanese journal of nursing research
H Hara
Topics in Cognitive Science
Fadwa El Guindi, Dwight W Read
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved