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Uncertainty reduction as an alternative explanation of historical myths

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2025

David J. Grüning Open the ORCID record for David J. Grüning [Opens in a new window]  and
Joachim I. Krueger
David J. Grüning*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany david.gruening@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de Department of Survey Design and Methodology, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
Joachim I. Krueger
Affiliation:
Cognitive, Linguistic & Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA joachim_krueger@brown.edu
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We agree with Sijilmassi et al. that historical myths are a tool for coalition recruitment. We argue, however, that a close fit between an evolved entity and an identified function does not imply that the latter is the critical evolutionary trigger. We also propose an alternative individual-centric explanation: Historical myths reduce uncertainty by providing cognitive and behavioral guidance.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 47 , 2024 , e180
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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