ICPS
2019 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2019
The Memorability of Supernatural Concepts
- Joseph Sommer
Rutgers University - Jamel Smith
Rutgers University - Julien Musolino
Rutgers University - Pernille Hemmer
Rutgers University
Abstract
Boyer’s minimally counterintuitive (MCI) theory suggests that supernatural concepts are ubiquitous in human societies because they are more memorable than natural concepts. The Von Restorff (VR) effect makes a similar prediction for any outlier item, regardless of ontological category. We directly compare these two effects, norming for potential confounds.
Cognitive Processes
