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The myth of the stupid believer : The negative religiousness-IQ nexus is not on general intelligence (g) and is likely a product of the relations between IQ and Autism Spectrum traits
- Source :
- Journal of Religion and Health, Journal of Religion & Health, 59, 1567-1579. Human Sciences Press/Kluwer Academic
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Umeå universitet, Institutionen för psykologi, 2020.
-
Abstract
- Numerous studies have found a negative relationship between religiousness and IQ. It is in the region of − 0.2, according to meta-analyses. The reasons for this relationship are, however, unknown. It has been suggested that higher intelligence leads to greater attraction to science, or that it helps to override evolved cognitive dispositions such as for religiousness. Either way, such explanations assume that the religion–IQ nexus is on general intelligence (g), rather than some subset of specialized cognitive abilities. In other words, they assume it is a Jensen effect. Two large datasets comparing groups with different levels of religiousness show that their IQ differences are not on g and must, therefore, be attributed to specialized abilities. An analysis of the specialized abilities on which the religious and non-religious groups differ reveals no clear pattern. We cautiously suggest that this may be explicable in terms of autism spectrum disorder traits among people with high IQ scores, because such traits are negatively associated with religiousness.
- Subjects :
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Intelligence
050109 social psychology
050105 experimental psychology
Developmental psychology
Psychological Exploration
medicine
Humans
Psychology
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Spirituality
Product (category theory)
Autism spectrum disorder
General Nursing
Psykologi
Intelligence quotient
05 social sciences
Religious studies
Cognition
General Medicine
Mythology
medicine.disease
Religion
Negative relationship
IQ
Autism
Jensen effect
Nexus (standard)
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00224197
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Religion and Health, Journal of Religion & Health, 59, 1567-1579. Human Sciences Press/Kluwer Academic
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f45bc6a554fc272f510b0ccc262a7cd5