The deep history of imaginary worlds. (18th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiessner, Polly
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 45(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-18
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X21002132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: If recent exploratory traditions tap into evolved psychological dispositions to explore, wouldn't humans be expected to have drawn on such dispositions long before the written word? Trickster oral traditions fill this role in all levels of society, affluence, and on all continents, inverting the boundaries of social worlds and those between humans and animals, fostering cultural innovation.