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Published on: September 28, 2018
Authoritarian and benevolent god representations and the two sides of prosociality
Kathryn A Johnson1, Adam B Cohen1
1Department of Psychology,Arizona State University,Tempe,AZ 85287.kathryn.a.johnson@asu.eduhttp://psychology-dev.clas.asu.edu/faculty/kathryn-johnsonadamcohen@asu.eduhttps://psychology.clas.asu.edu/faculty/adam-cohen.
Abstract:
The Big Gods model focuses on belief in an authoritarian God as a psychological mechanism that inhibits antisocial behavior and facilitates the formation of tight, cohesive groups. Recent empirical evidence suggests, however, that belief in a benevolent God is more likely to inspire helping and inclusivity. Both kinds of beliefs are necessary to explain the development of large-scale societies.
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