A cross-cultural study of some supernatural beliefs

Cross-Cultural Approaches • HRAF Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: 196-206 •
By Spiro, Melford E., D'Andrade, Roy G.

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between child training and supernatural beliefs. The authors develop a schema delineating the role of the supernatural in nurturance and punishment; ten hypotheses associating the role of the supernatural with various child training practices are tested. Several are confirmed.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
OtherOther Researchers
Ethnographic Reports

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
"The greater the initial satisfaction of dependence, the greater the degree to which supernatural nurturance is contingent upon compulsive ritual" (199)Supported
"The greater the initial satisfaction of the oral drive the greater the degree to which supernatural nurturance is contingent upon the employment of compulsive ritual" (200)Supported
"The greater the socialization anxiety of dependence, the greater the degree to which supernatural nurturance is contingent upon propitiatory ritual" (200)Supported
"The lower the socialization of dependence, the greater the degree to which supernatural nurturance is noncontingent" (200)Supported
"The greater the degree to which supernatural punishment is noncontingent: . . . 1) the lower satisfaction of behavior systems . . . 2) the earlier the age of socialization . . . and 3) the greater the inconsistency in socialization" (201)Not Supported
"The greater the socialization anxiety of all behavior systems, the greater the degree to which supernatural punishment is contingent upon disobedience of supernatural demands" (201)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Amelia Piazza