Cristine H. Legare|Susan A. Gelman
Bewitchment, Biology, or Both: The Co?Existence of Natural and Supernatural Explanatory Frameworks Across Development
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
three studies examined coexistence natural supernatural explanations illness disease transmission developmental perspective participants 5 7 11 15yearolds adults n 366 drawn 2 sesothospeaking south african communities western biomedical traditional healing frameworks available results indicated although biological explanations illness endorsed high levels witchcraft also often endorsed important bewitchment explanations neither result ignorance replaced biological explanations instead natural supernatural explanations used explain phenomena bewitchment explanations highest among adults taken together data provide insight diverse culturally constructed belief systems illness coexist across development