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Is Identity Essentialism a Fundamental Feature of Human Cognition?
Edouard Machery1,2, Christopher Y Olivola3,4, Hyundeuk Cheon5
1Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh.
Cognitive Science
|May 19, 2023
Summary
Identity essentialism, a key part of psychological essentialism, is not a universal human trait. Research shows essentialist intuitions vary across cultures, demographics, and are easily influenced by framing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Cultural Psychology
Background:
- Psychological essentialism posits that categories have underlying essences.
- Identity essentialism, a component of this, concerns the inherent nature of entities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if identity essentialism is a fundamental aspect of human cognition.
- To examine the cultural and demographic variability of essentialist intuitions.
- To assess the malleability of essentialist intuitions.
Main Methods:
- Three studies with a total of 1723 participants across 10 countries.
- Utilized "discovery" and "transformation" scenarios to elicit essentialist intuitions.
- Manipulated question framing to test susceptibility to framing effects.
Main Results:
- Essentialist intuitions significantly varied across cultures and continents.
- Intuitions differed based on demographic factors like gender and education.
- The type of eliciting stimulus and question framing influenced essentialist judgments.
Conclusions:
- Identity essentialism is not a universal cognitive feature but is culturally dependent.
- Essentialist intuitions are malleable and influenced by external factors.
- Findings challenge the notion of essentialism as a fundamental cognitive universal.
Keywords:
ConceptsCross-cultural researchExperimental philosophyFolk biologyFramingPsychological essentialismMore Related Videos
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