God Is Not Human, But Sometimes He Is? Understanding Anthropomorphic Bias in God Concepts: A Cognitive Framework Integrating Core Knowledge Confusions and Purposeful Reasoning

Abstract

God is non-human, non-physical, and limitless in his capacities – and yet he is incapable of answering all prayers, preventing unfortunate events, and we must pray for him to hear us. Why do we describe God as non-human on an explicit level, but conceive of him as human at other times? The present study used a cognitive recall task to detect anthropomorphic bias in God concepts among Princeton undergraduates, as well as in concepts of other non-religious super-agents. It then sought to determine which variables might be influencing the extent to which this bias occurs. More specifically, confusions in core knowledge, teleological bias (“in order to” type reasoning) and ratings of purposefulness for various life events were assessed in relation to participant levels of anthropomorphic bias. Results showed that anthropomorphic bias was present for both God and the super-agents. Regarding the three forms of bias tested, no significant relationship was found with levels of anthropomorphic bias. Additional analyses revealed a relationship between ontological bias and teleological bias, ontological bias and purposefulness ratings (for unintentional life events), as well as between purposefulness ratings (both total and for unintentional events) on belief in God. The implications for a cognitive framework of religious cognition are discussed.