Justin E. Lane

Social scientists and humanities scholars, often treat culture as non-reducible phenomena that is incompatible with scientific study or reductionism (Pyysiäinen 2001). This has led to claims that culture is an emergent property of human social groups (Sawyer 2005). This chapter seeks to address these claims using more quantified methods. Particularly, it presents an agent based model of information transmission in human social groups that generates similar patterns of multi-agent consensus from… Show more

Social scientists and humanities scholars, often treat culture as non-reducible phenomena that is incompatible with scientific study or reductionism (Pyysiäinen 2001). This has led to claims that culture is an emergent property of human social groups (Sawyer 2005). This chapter seeks to address these claims using more quantified methods. Particularly, it presents an agent based model of information transmission in human social groups that generates similar patterns of multi-agent consensus from the interactions of individual agents as observed in real-world human groups. As such, it argues that the claims of cultural emergence adhering to a sort of “spooky” strong emergence are scientifically unsound and theoretically inoperable in many cases. However, we can reframe cultural emergence as the result of interactions between complex dynamic agents. Doing so still results in an emergent “culture” that is irreducible to the “sum of its parts” but still on a subset of the “sum of its parts” that are shared by many agents. The chapter will present this new model of cultural information transmission, based on theories from cognitive anthropology (Whitehouse 2004; Hill and Dunbar 2003), and will discuss its results in relation to a number of cultural dynamics that have great effects on the stability of social groups such as identity, parochial altruism, and how large scale demographic transitions in history may have been facilitated by the “emergent” cultural consensus modelled here. A specific focus is given to the dynamic transitions from small-scale hunter-gatherer societies to large-scale civilizations and nation states as well as their dissolution in the historical record. Show less

Empirical findings from psychology and social science suggest that both individual and contextual factors play a role in shaping the levels of religiosity and violence in any given population. But what is the causal relationship between religion and violence? A wide variety of disciplines are contributing to a rapidly growing body of literature that bears on this question. What is still lacking, however, is the integration of such findings within a comprehensive model. We begin to tackle this… Show more

Empirical findings from psychology and social science suggest that both individual and contextual factors play a role in shaping the levels of religiosity and violence in any given population. But what is the causal relationship between religion and violence? A wide variety of disciplines are contributing to a rapidly growing body of literature that bears on this question. What is still lacking, however, is the integration of such findings within a comprehensive model. We begin to tackle this task by constructing an agent-based computational model whose architecture is informed by several empirically validated theories about the role of religion in intergroup conflict. Our results identify some of the conditions and mechanisms that engendermutually escalating religious violence. We conduct trace validation to show that these conditions and mechanisms correspond to the findings of relevant theories. Face validation indicates the model is able to simulate the emergence of conflicts that fit real world data. The model’s capacity to generate the macro-level emergence of mutually escalating religious violence from micro-level agent behaviors and interactions provides the foundation for evaluating its capacity for predicting such violence. Show less

Given events such as 11 September, the 2013 Boston Bombing, and the
2015 Paris attacks it is becoming increasingly apparent that religious
extremism has great potential to negatively impact our daily lives.
Predicting religious extremism could – in principle – allow us to respond
to, mediate, or eliminate threats more efficiently. It is argued here that
predicting religious extremism is possible but religious systems are
complex dynamic systems and should be addressed as such.… Show more

Given events such as 11 September, the 2013 Boston Bombing, and the
2015 Paris attacks it is becoming increasingly apparent that religious
extremism has great potential to negatively impact our daily lives.
Predicting religious extremism could – in principle – allow us to respond
to, mediate, or eliminate threats more efficiently. It is argued here that
predicting religious extremism is possible but religious systems are
complex dynamic systems and should be addressed as such. To address
religious systems in a way that could provide useful predictions, one
should use multi-agent artificial intelligence models that are validated
using empirical studies of human cognition to define rules for the agents
and historical and contemporary data sources (ex. “big-data” and
historical databases) to calibrate and parameterize simulations. Ultimately,
I conclude that near-term prediction is possible if one incorporates social
and biological environments as well as inter- and intra-agent cognitive
mechanisms, but long term predictions would be unreliable. Key to this
approach is the admission that cognitive mechanisms play crucial roles in
the generation and transmission of culture as well as the recognition that
social and biological environments provide input to these mechanisms
but neither social or biological environmental input is sufficient by itself. Show less

This article outlines the development – and reports on the experimental findings – of two computational models designed to simulate the dynamic systems and behavioural patterns identified and clarified by research on terror management theory. The causal architectures of these models are informed by empirical research on the effects of mortality salience on “religiosity” (and vice versa). They are also informed by research on the way in which perception of personal and environmental hazards… Show more

This article outlines the development – and reports on the experimental findings – of two computational models designed to simulate the dynamic systems and behavioural patterns identified and clarified by research on terror management theory. The causal architectures of these models are informed by empirical research on the effects of mortality salience on “religiosity” (and vice versa). They are also informed by research on the way in which perception of personal and environmental hazards activate evolved cognitive and coalitional precautionary systems that can intensify anxiety-alleviating behaviours such as imaginative engagement with supernatural agents postulated within a religious coalition. The capacity of the models to produce emergent patterns and behaviours that are similar to the results of other empirical studies supports the plausibility of their causal architectures. After tracing some of the literature that supports the causal dynamics of our models, we present the two models, describe the experiments, and report the results. We conclude by discussing the importance of the findings, the limitations of the models, and directions for future research. Show less

Across three studies, we examined the role of shared negative experiences in the formation
of strong social bonds—identity fusion—previously associated with individuals' willingness
to self-sacrifice for the sake of their groups. Studies 1 and 2 were correlational studies conducted
on two different populations. In Study 1, we found that the extent to which Northern
Irish Republicans and Unionists experienced shared negative experiences was associated
with levels of identity… Show more

Across three studies, we examined the role of shared negative experiences in the formation
of strong social bonds—identity fusion—previously associated with individuals' willingness
to self-sacrifice for the sake of their groups. Studies 1 and 2 were correlational studies conducted
on two different populations. In Study 1, we found that the extent to which Northern
Irish Republicans and Unionists experienced shared negative experiences was associated
with levels of identity fusion, and that this relationship was mediated by their reflection on
these experiences. In Study 2, we replicated this finding among Bostonians, looking at their
experiences of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. These correlational studies provide
initial evidence for the plausibility of our causal model; however, an experiment was
required for a more direct test. Thus, in Study 3, we experimentally manipulated the salience
of the Boston Marathon Bombings, and found that this increased state levels of identity
fusion among those who experienced it negatively. Taken together, these three studies provide
evidence that shared negative experience leads to identity fusion, and that this process
involves personal reflection. Show less

Agent-based modeling allows researchers to investigate theories of complex social phenomena and subsequently use the model to generate new hypotheses that can then be compared to real-world data. However,computer modeling has been underutilized in regard to the understanding of religious systems, which often require very complex theories with multiple interacting variables(Braxton et al. in Method Theory Study Relig 24(3):267–290, 2012. doi:10.1163/157006812X635709;Lane in J Cogn Sci Relig… Show more

Agent-based modeling allows researchers to investigate theories of complex social phenomena and subsequently use the model to generate new hypotheses that can then be compared to real-world data. However,computer modeling has been underutilized in regard to the understanding of religious systems, which often require very complex theories with multiple interacting variables(Braxton et al. in Method Theory Study Relig 24(3):267–290, 2012. doi:10.1163/157006812X635709;Lane in J Cogn Sci Relig 1(2):161–180, 2013). This paper presents an example of how computer modeling can be used to explore, test, and further understand religious systems, specifically looking at one prominent theory of religious ritual. The process is continuous: theory building,hypothesis generation, testing against real-world data, and improving the model. In this example, the output of an agent-based model of religious behavior is compared against real-world religious sermons and texts using semantic network analysis. It finds that most religious materials exhibit unique scale-free small-world properties and that a concept’s centrality in a religious schema best predicts its frequency of presentation. These results reveal that there adjustments need to be made to existing models of religious ritual systems and provide parameters for future models. The paper ends with a discussion of implications for a new multi-agent model of doctrinal ritual behaviors as well as propositions for further interdisciplinary research concerning the multi-agent modeling of religious ritual behaviors. Show less

The construction of computer models is becoming an increasingly useful and popular way of testing theories in the cognitive sciences. This paper will present a brief overview of the methods available for constructing and testing computer models of social phenomena such as religious beliefs and behaviors. It will focus on the importance of theoretical continuity and data replication in computer modelling while negotiating the relationship between specificity and ecological validity when models… Show more

The construction of computer models is becoming an increasingly useful and popular way of testing theories in the cognitive sciences. This paper will present a brief overview of the methods available for constructing and testing computer models of social phenomena such as religious beliefs and behaviors. It will focus on the importance of theoretical continuity and data replication in computer modelling while negotiating the relationship between specificity and ecological validity when models are extended into novel contexts. This paper will argue that computer modeling is an important supplement to the methodological toolbox of cognitive scientists interested in human social phenomena. However, this is only the case if developers pay close attention to research methods and theories and if the method of a model’s development is appropriate for the target phenomenon (Sun, 2006). It concludes that multi-agent AI models are the most appropriate computational tool for the study of complex social phenomena. Show less

Article published in the Journal of Religion, Brain, & Behavior in 2012. Presents a critique and proposal for a new way of simulating religious groups through the Multi-Agent AI program NetLogo. It includes source code published in an electronic appendix.

In the past two decades cognitive anthropology has offered a radically new framework for the study of social movements and complex ideologies. Besides creating a scientific foundation for the study of religion and culture, its empirical basis offers an unbiased approach to controversial subjects such as new religious movements and religious violence that traditional anthropological approaches have struggled to maintain. This paper argues that new religious movements can be analysed using the… Show more

In the past two decades cognitive anthropology has offered a radically new framework for the study of social movements and complex ideologies. Besides creating a scientific foundation for the study of religion and culture, its empirical basis offers an unbiased approach to controversial subjects such as new religious movements and religious violence that traditional anthropological approaches have struggled to maintain. This paper argues that new religious movements can be analysed using the tools of cognitive science, specifically new Islamist movements in the Middle East affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Such an approach yields an objective lens to analyse the claims that their ideologies make them violent. By presenting a brief analysis of movements inspired from the Sunni tradition in the 20th century this paper intends to show that the causal factors of religious violence are largely the product of the dynamic mental mechanisms interacting with a physical and social environment.
Keywords: Al-Qaeda; Cognition; Islam; Evolution; Prospect Theory; Simulation models; Terrorism Show less

Within the animal kingdom, hierarchical social structures appear in very similar forms, even if the organisms that make up the social structure differ drastically. Hierarchical social structures and apparent power centralization patterns can be
witnessed in insects such as ants and bees, avian species such as chickens and vultures, and mammals such as wolves and humans. Here, an attempt will be made to apply conceptions and terminology of evolutionary theory, concerning alpha male… Show more

Within the animal kingdom, hierarchical social structures appear in very similar forms, even if the organisms that make up the social structure differ drastically. Hierarchical social structures and apparent power centralization patterns can be
witnessed in insects such as ants and bees, avian species such as chickens and vultures, and mammals such as wolves and humans. Here, an attempt will be made to apply conceptions and terminology of evolutionary theory, concerning alpha male, charismatic leaders in new religious movements (nrms), and cognitive psychology in an interdisciplinary explanation for ritual instability while testing established ritual hypotheses. This will be done by hypothesizing how charismatic alphas attain their status within religious groups and how this presence affects the ritual stability of the group from a cognitive level. Show less