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Increased affluence, life history theory, and the decline of shamanism
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 April 2018
Abstract
I applaud Singh's proposition to use evolutionary psychology to explain the recurrence of shamanistic beliefs. Here, I suggest that evolutionary mechanisms (i.e., life history theory) also can explain the variability of the distribution of shamanism. When resources are abundant, individuals become more patient and more open minded to the point that science becomes cognitively attractive and may replace magic.
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Target article
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Author response
Why is there shamanism? Developing the cultural evolutionary theory and addressing alternative accounts