Perceptions of moralizing agents and cooperative behavior in Northeastern Brazil

SOLER, Montserrat, Benjamin PURZYCKI and Martin LANG. Perceptions of moralizing agents and cooperative behavior in Northeastern Brazil. Religion, Brain & Behavior. 2022, vol. 12, 1-2, p. 132-149. ISSN 2153-599X. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2153599X.2021.2006285.

Basic information

• Original name: Perceptions of moralizing agents and cooperative behavior in Northeastern Brazil
• Authors: SOLER, Montserrat (840 United States of America), Benjamin PURZYCKI (840 United States of America) and Martin LANG (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Religion, Brain & Behavior, 2022, 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
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 2.200
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/22:00125648
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2153599X.2021.2006285
• UT WoS: 000778745700009
• Keywords in English: Brazil; Candomblé; dictator game; economic games; moralizing gods; prosocial behavior; secular authority
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

Evolutionary theories suggest that gods of world religions are associated with moralizing qualities and impartial behavior toward co-religionists, and that secular authorities approximate this effect. However, there is a lack of theorizing and experimental studies regarding the influence of local religions on inter-personal conduct. In the current research, we obtained data on beliefs regarding the moralizing qualities of the Christian god, a local god (Ogum), and police in a sample from Northeastern Brazil (n = 193). We used these beliefs as predictors of behavior in Dictator Games where players distributed endowed money between anonymous individuals belonging to local and distant communities. We used subtle reminders of the Christian god, Ogum, and police to investigate their influence on game behavior. The correlational and priming results are mostly in agreement, revealing that: (a) the Christian god is perceived as most moralizing, but (b) has only limited impact on game behavior, while (c) adherence to Ogum is associated with ingroup favoritism, as is (d) priming with secular authority. These results illustrate the differential effects of belief in moralizing and local deities on extended prosociality but show that in specific contexts, secular authorities may emulate the effects of local rather than moralizing deities.