Science & the Big Questions

Why Do Humans Embrace Rituals? Disease and Danger May Be at the Root of the Behaviors

While the origins of many rituals remain murky, emerging research suggests we evolved such social practices to ward off or address common threats.

National Geographic

Topics: Cristine Legare Cultural Evolution Ritual

Why Do We Miss the Rituals Put On Hold By the COVID-19 Pandemic?

These traditions bind us to our groups and can help calm us.

Science News

Topics: Bonding Cooperation Cristine Legare Emotion Group Identity Ritual

How Do Children Become Members of the Populations They Are Born Into

Cristine Legare describes the development and diversity of cumulative cultural learning.

Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute

Topics: Cognition Cristine Legare Education Knowledge Learning Social Learning

Why Social Science Needs Evolutionary Theory

The lack of willingness to view human cognition and behavior as within the purview of evolutionary processes has prevented evolution from being fully integrated into the social science curriculum.

Nautilus

Topics: Cognition Cristine Legare Cultural Evolution Evolutionary Theory Social Behavior Social Learning

Can Rituals Trigger Creative Flow?

When inspiration is elusive, ritual appears to offer a shortcut to creative flow.

Forbes

Topics: Creativity Cristine Legare Rex Jung Ritual

15 Questions About Science and Religion, Answered

More than a dozen cognitive scientists, including Tania Lombrozo, joined a discussion in April aimed to encourage a sophisticated, evidence-based look at the psychology behind science and religion.

13.7: Cosmos & Culture, NPR

Topics: Atheism Belief Cristine Legare Religiosity Science & Religion Dialogue Scientific Study of Religion