Shamanism and the Origins of Spirituality and Ritual Healing
Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture February 8, 2010 DOI: 10.1558/jsrnc.v3i4.458 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Citations | 46 |
| Key points | Argues that shamanism has cross-cultural validity and reflects evolved biological and psychological capacities. Proposes that shamanic rituals expanded primate community bonding through vocalization and drumming, and that ASC fostered self-awareness, social identity, and healing, making shamanism part of human nature. |
Abstract
The concept of the shaman has cross-cultural validity, reflecting common patterns of behavior associated with spiritual healing practices found in foraging societies worldwide. These empirical characteristics associated with these practices are examined from evolutionary perspectives and in terms of an evolutionary psychology that identifies their underlying biological bases. The physiological foundations of shamanism are revealed by examining the biological and evolutionary roots for community ritual and the physiological aspects of altered states of consciousness (ASC). Shamanic rituals expanded primate community bonding rituals involving emotional vocalizations and drumming as social signaling and communication processes. The ASC involve the ritual induction an integrative mode of consciousness that enhanced self-awareness and social identity formation in the concepts of souls and spirits and produced a variety of physical and psychological healing processes. Shamanic practices are part of human nature and involve a variety of evolved capacities that have assisted in human adaptation and survival.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond | 2014 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Shamanism as the Original Neurotheology | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California | 1998 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From Culture to Experience: Shamanism in the Pages of the Soviet Anti-Religious Press | 2020 | Historical analysis | |
| Anthropology, Shamanism, and Alternate Ways of Knowing–Being in the World: One Anthropologist's Journey of Discovery and Transformation | 2010 | Reflective essay or personal narrative |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology Frontiers in Neuroscience September 28, 2017
- Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution Frontiers in Psychology September 29, 2021
- Introduction: Evidence for entheogen use in prehistory and world religions Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 1, 2019
- The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology Frontiers in Pharmacology February 23, 2021
- Personal Psychedelic Use Is Common Among a Sample of Psychedelic Therapists: Implications for Research and Practice Psychedelic Medicine February 16, 2023
and 9 more in the library