From groups to gods : neuroscience and evolution of the collective mind / Patrick McNamara

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McNamara, Patrick, 1956- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social psychology.

Social psychology--Religious aspects.

Neurosciences--Social aspects.

Neurosciences.

Group decision making.

social psychology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026

Summary:

"Explore the 'group mind' phenomenon and uncover its influences on religious and political experiences. This book investigates the idea that human groups, under certain conditions, can develop distinct personalities and possess 'minds' characterized by quasi-rational decision-making processes, emotions, intentional states, and actions in the world. Utilizing expert research, Patrick McNamara applies the explosion of findings in collective cognition to topics in evolutionary psychology, social science, and religion to demonstrate the associations between group minds and supernatural agents. The chapters examine the relationship between religious group minds and individual psychology from multiple perspectives, including identity dynamics, inter-group relations, group theory of mind, and the neuroscience of in-group monitoring. The book also addresses how religious groups evolve, maintain cohesion, and shape individual brains, offering a novel framework for understanding how collective minds emerge and operate. It is an essential resource for those interested in the psychology of religion, philosophy, and religious studies"-- Cambridge Core

Contents:

Evidence for group mind

Definitions and assumptions of group mind

Superorganisms and group minds

Growing and destroying a group mind

Evolutionary emergence of group mind

Historical evolution of group mind

Content of group minds

Neuroscience of group minds

Individual in relation to group minds

Group mind in group psychotherapy

Group mind and dreams

Group mind and leadership

Group mind and politics

Group mind in the major evolutionary transition

Group mind and the new religious consciousness

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed June 18, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: McNamara, Patrick, 1956- From groups to gods

ISBN:

9781009666206

1009666207

9781009666190

1009666193

OCLC:

1591604710

Publisher Number:

CIPO000377195

CIPO000381775

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license