Previous studies explained the positive prosocial effect of awe prompted by monumental structures or ceremonies by a sense of individual tininess where one feels to be a small part of greater entity. Here, emphasizing the role of cultural context and using behavioral measures of prosociality, authors tested whether awe also increases prosociality on a Czech sample.
In contrast to studies carried out in the US population—and mostly based on hypothetical scenario measures—, they found that in the Czech population awe decreases prosociality. The inverse effect can be explained by an increased motivation to spend personal time meaningfully, not on prescribed and monotonous prosocial tasks. The results suggest that dependent on cultural contexts, the awe emotion can have differential effects on prosocial behavior, showing that models build upon studies carried out in the USA cannot be globally generalized.
You can find the article here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2153599X.2021.1940254
In a new study published in Human Nature, LEVYNA was part of a team lead by A.K. Willard, studying how witchcraft beliefs affect social norms and behaviors. Specifically, researchers investigated whether witchcraft is regarded to be motivated by envy and how this notion influences community interactions. The findings show that, while witchcraft accusations were common, they were mostly directed at persons suspected of acting out of envy.
In an ethnographic survey-based study published in the journal Religions, D. Xygalatas and P. Maňo looked at variation in motivations for ritual practice and how it relates to the socioeconomic status of respondents. The findings indicate that whereas people of lower socioeconomic standing address more immediate concerns related to material security and safety in their ritual practices, people at the other end of the socioeconomic spectrum tend to focus on the fulfillment of spiritual, social, or cultural needs.
