Why Humans Believe in Supernatural Beings: A Psychology Analysis

This essay delves into the realm of evolutionary psychology to explore the pervasive human belief in supernatural beings. It examines how evolutionary perspectives can shed light on the psychological and mental traits that underpin these beliefs, analyzing the adaptation of human behavior in response to environmental and ancestral survival pressures. The essay investigates the role of evolutionary psychology in understanding why people across cultures and societies embrace supernatural concepts, including the resilience of religious beliefs in the face of modern scientific advancements. It considers various psychological theories and studies, including those relating to fear, vulnerability, and the human tendency to seek explanations for the unknown. Furthermore, the essay discusses the interplay between science and religion, and how evolutionary psychology can help us understand the persistence of God beliefs in the context of scientific progress. The essay highlights the controversies surrounding evolutionary psychology, including debates about testability and practical applications, while also acknowledging the diverse perspectives on the subject.

Why do many people and all human societies believe in
supernatural beings? How can we understand the resilience of
God beliefs in light of modern science ?

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Evolutionary psychology........................................................................................................3
Evolutionary perspective and human behaviour....................................................................4
Why do many people and all human societies believe in supernatural beings......................7
How can we understand the resilience of God beliefs in light of modern science.................8
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Evolutionary psychology is inter-related with the concept of the psychology, it shows the
theoretical outlook of the human psychology, to explain the psychological and mental traits of
the individual. It is used to analyse the evaluation and adaption in the human psychology. There
are various theories which lay stress on relationship between science and religion, as it is very
complicated and critical topic. This assignment is based on analysing and evaluating various
outcomes regarding evolutionary psychology of the individual and perspective of human
behaviour on the basis of their beliefs and reliance on God in light of modern science.
MAIN BODY
Evolutionary psychology
According to Stark (2015) it is the approach of examining the psychological structure on
the basis of modern evolutionary perspective, its purpose is to analyze the traits of the human
being which adapt the evolution. It can also be termed as scientific study of analyzing the human
behavior on the basis of which understanding can be developed regarding their ancestral survival
and reproductive problems.
The main criteria of Evolutionary psychology is that it lay emphasis on the
psychological aspects of the human being on the basis of which scientific study can be
conducted regarding their behavior.
It helps in understanding how different traits of the human being effect their tendencies
to behave in a particular environment and in a particular manner. In general words Evolutionary
psychology is the approach that studies the human behavior as a whole to analyze the adaptions
of a universal set for solving the problems occurring in an environment. According to Bunge
(2017)the main reason behind the study of the Evolutionary psychology is that it helps in
analyzing the physical adaptions of the individual to represent the nature of human psychological
imbalance. The main purpose of Evolutionary psychology is that, it wants to show regulations in
the behavior of the human changed and developed over period of time. Some traits lay emphasis
on capacity of adaption and provides origins to enhance the survival of the individual.
On the other hand, psychology is basically a study of behavior and mind through some
perceptions of science. The one who conducts the study on psychology is considered as a
psychologist. It is classified into three sub parts, behavioral, social and cognitive.

Evolutionary perspective and human behaviour.
As per the theory of Charles Darwin, all the human beings are related and descended
from same ancestor, the principle of Evolutionary psychology states that, when genes starts to
develop the one who is strong can passed down the through natural selection process.
The main purpose of Evolutionary psychology is that, it wants to show regulations in the
behavior of the human changed and developed over period of time. Some traits lay emphasis on
capacity of adaption and provides origins to enhance the survival of the individual.
Example: Comparison between the memory of human beings and chimpanzees, the
group of research provide training to 3 chimpanzees in order to make them recognize the number
between one to nine. Both human beings and the animals was seated in front of the advance
touch screen computer in order to recognize the sequence of the numbers by remembering them,
it is hard to believe but during the surveys, chimpanzees showed more skills in comparison to
human beings, Human spatial memory skills were replaced by language memory skills, during
the whole session, various types of human beings are included while on the other 3 chimpanzees
was present who are trained prior experiment.
As per the view of Burtt (2016) it is the approach of examining the psychological
structure on the basis of modern evolutionary perspective , its purpose is to analyze the traits of
the human being which adapt the evolution. It can also be termed as scientific study of analyzing
the human behavior on the basis of which understanding can be developed regarding their
ancestral survival and reproductive problems.
According to Buss (2015)the study of Evolutionary psychology, it is the natural science
process that provides shape to the different modes of the human behavior. The whole concept of
Evolutionary psychology revolves around the behavioral traits of the individual in order to assess
the evolution. The main criteria of Evolutionary psychology is that it lay emphasis on the
psychological aspects of the human being on the basis of which scientific study can be
conducted regarding their behavior. It helps in understanding how different traits of the human
being effect their tendencies to behave in a particular environment and in a particular manner. In
general words Evolutionary psychology is the approach that studies the human behavior as a
whole to analyze the adaptions of a universal set for solving the problems occurring in an
environment, the main reason behind the study of the Evolutionary psychology is that it helps in

analyzing the physical adaptions of the individual to represent the nature of human psychological
imbalance.
On the other hand, psychology is basically a study of behavior and mind through some
perceptions of science. The one who conducts the study on psychology is considered as a
psychologist. It is classified into three sub parts, behavioral, social and cognitive.
Some human being consider Evolutionary psychology as a theoretical concept which has
its importance only in books and it have nothing to do which practicality.
It lay emphasis on, explaining psychological and mental traits of the human being, this
includes, memory, language adaptions and etc.
As per the view of Jalal (2015) every human, generate their different knowledge
regarding the view on Evolutionary psychology, but there are number of human beings who
believe in this theory as they mention that they seen its effects on themselves and on other.
According to the some psychologist, behavior of the human is highly depend upon their
psychological adaptions. This will help in generating skills and enhance the change of the
survival of the human being under various kind of situations and the circumstances that can take
place on this earth.
On the basis of study conducted by Workman (2014) evolutionary psychology, has seen
many controversies regarding its implementation, there are various disputes regarding the test-
ability and evolution of psychology, the main argument related to Evolutionary psychology is
that, its implementations and test are not very clear for the human beings as it is much of
theoretical approach rather than practical.
According to the study of Evolutionary psychology, it is stated that mind of the
individual is full of various kinds of specification which are being implemented by them to
perform some specific task or activity.
There are various numbers of critics who have questioned about the fears and phobias of
the individual and their relation with the Evolutionary psychology.
For generating hypotheses regarding possible adaptions of psychology, using information
evolution environment adaption can prove to be very beneficial.
The most critical concept of Evolutionary psychology is, evaluation adaption, the
assumptions that are been made on the basis of Evolutionary psychology states that human
evolution is the process of specific steps and it occurred in the static manner, but according to

the critiques point of view there is very little information available about the homo sapiens, so on
the basis of that information it s very difficult to analyze the specifications regarding the traits
and their evolution in the environment turns into highly complicated topic.
As per the view of Ansah (2014) there are various controversies regarding the
Evolutionary psychology, the facts and figures presented by Evolutionary psychology is
sometimes hard to believe because of this critical and complicated nature, the Evolutionary
psychology are generally very ad hoc, the theoretical outcomes of the Evolutionary psychology,
the main significance of Evolutionary psychology is founded on the model of ancestral human
reproductive ecology, the critical nature of this topic makes it sometimes very complicated and
disturbed as there are some scientist who believes in it and some are totally against to it.
Evolutionary psychology, has seen many controversies regarding its implementation, there are
various disputes regarding the test-ability and evolution of psychology, the main argument
related to Evolutionary psychology is that, its implementations and test are not very clear for the
human beings as it is much of theoretical approach rather than practical.
As per the view of McNamara (2016) evolution is the truth of the earth but, combing
evolution with the human behavior and their traits is a concept of many possible answers, as it
revolves around the various facts of history, evidences studies nothing can really prove its
hundred percent significance. it is the natural science process that provides shape to the different
modes of the human behavior. The whole concept of Evolutionary psychology revolves around
the behavioral traits of the individual in order to assess the evolution. It helps in understanding
how different traits of the human being effect their tendencies to behave in a particular
environment and in a particular manner. In general words Evolutionary psychology is the
approach that studies the human behavior as a whole to analyze the adaptions of a universal set
for solving the problems occurring in an environment, the main reason behind the study of the
Evolutionary psychology is that it helps in analyzing the physical adaptions of the individual to
represent the nature of human psychological imbalance.
The main criteria of Evolutionary psychology is that it lay emphasis on the
psychological aspects of the human being on the basis of which scientific study can be
conducted regarding their behavior.
It helps in understanding how different traits of the human being effect their tendencies
to behave in a particular environment and in a particular manner.

The questions and significance related to Evolutionary psychology is something that can
not be perfectly answered as there are several point of views regarding this topic. The theories,
implications and specifications presented by every scientist differentiate from one another.
Why do many people and all human societies believe in supernatural beings.
Supernatural beings: These are the things which can be proved through laws, theories,
nature or any other thing present on this earth. Such things are the beings that claim to be present
on this earth, but no person of this entire planet can give 100 % assurance regarding their
presence on the earth. These are the UN-natural things like ghost, or negative spirits, or any
other kind of non material beings or things that are not in a control of nature.
There are various number of scientist who give their entire life while searching about this
concept. Since no person no this planet can provide accurate assurance regarding their existence
or non existence. There are equal numbers of people who believe in supernatural beings and who
does not believe in such things. Many people claims that they feel some spirits and negativity
near them, or some even mention that they have seen something which is not like the human
being, but there is no as such evidence regarding their existence and on a contrary there is no
such evidence regarding their non existence.
According to Del Giudice (2015) most professors and scientist believes that, human
being who are full of fears and socially and emotionally vulnerable teds to believe on such
things. In their reports they mention that human being who believes on such supernatural beings
tries to hide their fear of death and are one of the most vulnerable, but there are some professors
who also tend to believe in such topics and mention that, people who lay their focus on such
things are due to their some personal and identical experiences, there are various cases related to
such things, as one of the most famous case of United States, the people out there claims that
they have seen something very unusual and unrealistic flying in an air like a saucer, they name it
'the flying saucer', some people claimed that it was UFO and there is alien in it, but government
of the United States declared that group of people socially disabled and they mentioned that they
are mentally ill it was all just because of their psychological disease.
Some people consider God and religion as supernatural being, according to some reports
it has been seen that there are many people who consider God as supernatural being and does not
believe in it.

How can we understand the resilience of God beliefs in light of modern science.
Modern Science: Its the practical and modern approach of methods of traditional
science. It lay emphasis on conducting studies and fundamentals by using much more practical
and modern approaches, fact, figures and examples. As per the study of Todd (2017) the main
purpose behind the study of the science is that it helps in explaining the activities which goes
around in the environment and natural world.
There are various issues and points of views are available which are related to the, beliefs
and existence of God and religion. But none can give the assured and accurate answer regarding
this. According to some scientific studies, beliefs in god and religions are because of the social
and emotional fears of the human being. Some people who tends to believe in more practical
approaches of the lives, states that people worships god out of fear of failure, disbarment and
because of their unhappy lives, they also mention that worshiping is sign of weaknesses and fear
of losses, that if they will not serve to their god, this will happen, that will happen; so as to avid
such situation they use the name of god to hide their fears regarding the functioning of their
lives.
On a contrary there are infinite number of people who are very highly educated believes
in the existence and presence of the god. Some scientific studies claims that such traits are
presence in the individual since their birth, and it also comes with heredity.
As per the view of Lewis (2017) these are the personal choices of the human being and
no body can manipulate thinking and opinion of the one regarding such things. As it varies from
person to person. Science provides 2 way information about such topics,but no body can
accurately implies its significance, whether it is existing or non existing.
As per the Evolutionary psychology, the beliefs on the god and religion is based on the
psychological and mental traits of the individual, and their adaption regarding the techniques and
outcomes of the evaluation. Religion and Spiritual outcomes often involved many emotional and
social outcomes of the individual. As specially it lay emphasis on the different styles, pattern or
living style of an individual.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that, there are various aspect of Evolutionary
psychology, which are presented by different scientist which gives information about its
significance, it has been also seen that how human behavior is effected by perspectives of

Evolutionary psychology, the existence and non existence of supernatural beings and are also
been discussed as there is no as such accuracy regarding this reliance,the pliability of modern
science and beliefs in god has been also discussed in the above report. Their are several kinds of
people present in the society and their believes and opinions are usually different from one
another.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ansah, G. N. (2014). Culture in embodied cognition: Metaphorical/metonymic
conceptualizations of FEAR in Akan and English. Metaphor and Symbol. 29(1). 44-58.
Bunge, M. (2017). Causality and modern science. Routledge.
Burtt, E. A. (2016). The metaphysical foundations of modern science. Angelico Press.
Buss, D. (2015). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind. Psychology Press.
Del Giudice, (2015). Life history theory and evolutionary psychology. The handbook of
evolutionary psychology. Vol. 1. Foundations, 88-114.
Jalal, B., (2015). Cultural Explanations of sleep paralysis in Italy: the pandafeche attack and
associated supernatural beliefs. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry. 39(4). 651-664.
Lewis, D. M., (2017). Evolutionary psychology: A how-to guide. American Psychologist. 72(4).
353.
McNamara, R. A., (2016). Supernatural punishment, in-group biases, and material insecurity:
experiments and ethnography from Yasawa, Fiji. Religion, Brain & Behavior. 6(1). 34-
55.
Stark, R. (2015). For the glory of God: How monotheism led to reformations, science, witch-
hunts, and the end of slavery. Princeton University Press.
Todd, P. M., (2017). The Evolutionary Psychology of Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Are There
Universal Adaptations in Search, Aversion, and Signaling?. Biological Theory, 1-11.
Workman, L., (2014). Evolutionary psychology. Cambridge University Press.
Online
Supernatural beings, 2018.[Online]. Available through :
<https://www.thefreedictionary.com/supernatural+being>