APS

2025 APS Annual Convention · 2025

Relationship-Involved Events Evoke More Supernatural Explanations: The Role of Responsibilism

Washington, DC · May 2025

Poster · Social

  • Shiyun Cao
    University of Chicago
  • Thomas Talhelm
    University of Chicago
  • Joshua Jackson
    University of Chicago

Abstract

To explore the perception of supernatural power as an epistemic source, we conducted an online experiment involving 170 participants from Denmark and South Africa. We proposed collectivism to explain the cross-cultural differences, and found relationship elements in narratives and personal emphasis on relationships might contribute to supernatural explanation instrumentality.

Cultural Diversity

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