Cited by 480Evolution and Science EducationScience Education and PedagogyChild and Animal Learning Development

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The Human Function Compunction: Teleological explanation in adults

Kelemen, Deborah, Rosset, Evelyn·2009·Cognition

DOI 10.1016/j.cognition.2009.01.001

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Abstract

Research has found that children possess a broad bias in favor of teleological--or purpose-based--explanations of natural phenomena. The current two experiments explored whether adults implicitly possess a similar bias. In Study 1, undergraduates judged a series of statements as "good" (i.e., correct) or "bad" (i.e., incorrect) explanations for why different phenomena occur. Judgments occurred in one of three conditions: fast speeded, moderately speeded, or unspeeded. Participants in speeded conditions judged significantly more scientifically unwarranted teleological explanations as correct (e.g., "the sun radiates heat because warmth nurtures life"), but were not more error-prone on control items (e.g., unwarranted physical explanations such as "hills form because floodwater freezes"). Study 2 extended these findings by examining the relationship between different aspects of adults' "promiscuous teleology" and other variables such as scientific knowledge, religious beliefs, and inhibitory control. Implications of these findings for scientific literacy are discussed.

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Authors: Kelemen, D., & Rosset, E.
Affiliations: Boston University (US)
Corresponding author: Kelemen, Deborah
ORCID: Kelemen, Deborah
Rosset, Evelyn
Venue: Cognition
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2009-04
Volume: 111
Issue: 1
Pages: 138-143
ISSN: 0010-0277 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2009.01.001
OpenAlex: W2073307787
Cited by: 480
References: 28
Citations by year: 2026: 11 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 64 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 24
FWCI: 141.53
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Cognition (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Evolution and Science Education
Social Sciences › Education › Science Education and Pedagogy
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords: teleological reasoning, implicit reasoning, scientific literacy, religious beliefs, inhibitory control, scientific knowledge, explanation evaluation
MeSH terms: Humans, Reading, Religion, Intuition, Young Adult

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The Human Function Compunction: Teleological explanation in adults

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