Big Gods in small places : the Random Allocation Game in Mauritius

XYGALATAS, Dimitrios, Silvie KOTHEROVÁ, Peter MAŇO, Radek KUNDT, Jakub CIGÁN, Eva KUNDTOVÁ KLOCOVÁ and Martin LANG. Big Gods in small places : the Random Allocation Game in Mauritius. Religion, Brain & Behavior. Routledge, 2018, vol. 8, No 2, p. 243-261. ISSN 2153-599X. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2153599X.2016.1267033.

Basic information

• Original name: Big Gods in small places : the Random Allocation Game in Mauritius
• Authors: XYGALATAS, Dimitrios (300 Greece), Silvie KOTHEROVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Peter MAŇO (703 Slovakia, belonging to the institution), Radek KUNDT (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Jakub CIGÁN (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Eva KUNDTOVÁ KLOCOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Martin LANG (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Religion, Brain & Behavior, Routledge, 2018, 2153-599X.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 60304 Religious studies
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/18:00101984
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2153599X.2016.1267033
• UT WoS: 000429036400008
• Keywords in English: Mauritius; experimental anthropology; random allocation game; morality; religion; Big Gods
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The relationship between religion and social behavior has been the subject of longstanding debates. Recent evolutionary models of religious morality propose that particular types of supernatural beliefs related to moralizing and punitive high gods will have observable effects on prosociality. We tested this hypothesis, comparing the effects of diverse religious beliefs, practices, and contexts among Hindus in Mauritius. We found that specific aspects of religious belief (related to moralizing gods) as well as religious practice (participation in high-intensity rituals) were significant predictors of prosocial behavior. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of religious prosociality and have significant implications for the evolution of morality.

Links

• EE2.3.20.0048, research and development project: Name: Laboratoř pro experimentální výzkum náboženství