Healing rituals and dietary practices as cultural super-attractors

Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2026

View at publisher
Authors: Sedat Arslan
DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x25104251
Cited by: 1
References: 4

Abstract

Singh's account explains cultural super-attractors via subjective selection. I extend it to healing rituals and dietary practices, including fasting calendars, sacred or taboo foods, detox narratives, probiotic beliefs, and ceremonial eating. I map these packages to complexity and robustness, specify control-seeking and hedonic mechanisms, derive testable predictions, and outline cross-cultural studies that distinguish satisfaction from objective efficacy for public health.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cultural Differences and Values Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs Social Representations and Identity

Publication details

Journal / source
Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Volume
49
Pages
e287–e287
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN