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Historical myths as commitment devices.

Stefaan Blancke1

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Historical myths act as recruitment tools by signaling fitness interdependence. Viewing them as commitment devices explains their cultural success, even if not directly convincing.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Cultural Evolution
  • Social Cognition

Background:

  • Historical myths are proposed as recruitment technologies mimicking fitness interdependence cues.
  • A paradox exists: myths may not need to convince vigilant individuals, yet achieve cultural success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To resolve the paradox of cultural success for historical myths.
  • To propose an alternative framework for understanding the function of historical myths.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of existing theories on historical myths.
  • Application of commitment device theory to explain myth propagation.

Main Results:

  • Historical myths can be understood as commitment devices, not just recruitment tools.
  • This perspective resolves the paradox of vigilance and myth acceptance.

Conclusions:

  • Commitment devices offer a robust explanation for the cultural persistence of historical myths.
  • This reframes the study of myth and its role in social cohesion.