Shamanism and efficacious exceptionalism
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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

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Published on: May 12, 2023
Aaron D Blackwell1, Benjamin Grant Purzycki2
1Department of Anthropology,University of California,Santa Barbara,CA 93106.blackwell@anth.ucsb.eduwww.anth.ucsb.edu/faculty/blackwell.
Abstract:
Shamans can have efficacy at healing through botanical remedies and in observational and advisory functions through cognitive strengths, while shamanic acts of strangeness are likely honest signals of these qualities. Given this potential for shamanic practices to have true efficacy and the capacity for honest signaling, we expect efficacy will influence the spread, persistence, and loss of shamanic practices.
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