Theodiversity.

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  • Author(s): Norenzayan A;Norenzayan A;Norenzayan A
  • Source:
    Annual review of psychology [Annu Rev Psychol] 2016; Vol. 67, pp. 465-88. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Sep 17.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Review
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Annual Reviews Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0372374 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1545-2085 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00664308 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Annu Rev Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Palo Alto Ca : Annual Reviews
      Original Publication: Palo Alto, Calif., Annual Reviews, inc.
    • Subject Terms:
      Cultural Evolution* ; Psychology, Social* ; Religion* ; Secularism*; Humans
    • Abstract:
      Humanity is teeming with breathtaking theodiversity--in religious beliefs, behaviors, and traditions, as well as in various intensities and forms of disbelief. Yet the origins and consequences of this diversity have received limited attention in psychology. I first describe how evolved psychological processes that influence and respond to cultural evolutionary trajectories generate and channel religious diversity. Next, I explore how theodiversity in turn shapes human psychology, and discuss three cultural dimensions of religious diversity in relation to psychological processes: (a) the cultural shift from small foraging bands and their local religious practices and beliefs to large and complex groups and their world religions, (b) cultural variability among world religions, and (c) secularization and the ensuing cultural divide between religious and nonreligious societies and subcultures. The contributions of psychology to the scientific study of religion will increase with a deeper understanding of theodiversity.
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: WEIRD; atheism; cognition; cultural evolution; culture; gods; religion; ritual; sacred values; secularization; supernatural beliefs; theodiversity
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20150923 Date Completed: 20161013 Latest Revision: 20161230
    • Publication Date:
      20240829
    • Accession Number:
      10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033426
    • Accession Number:
      26393871