Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion

Scope & Guideline

Decoding the Cognitive Foundations of Spirituality

Introduction

Welcome to the Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN2049-7555
PublisherEQUINOX PUBLISHING LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2019 to 2022, 2024
AbbreviationJ COGN SCI RELIG / J. Cogn. Sci. Relig.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address415, THE WORKSTATION, 15 PATERNOSTER ROW, SHEFFIELD S1 2BX, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion primarily focuses on the intersection of cognitive science and religious phenomena. It aims to explore how cognitive processes shape religious beliefs, practices, and experiences, while also examining the evolutionary underpinnings of these phenomena.
  1. Cognitive and Evolutionary Approaches to Religion:
    The journal emphasizes research that applies cognitive science and evolutionary psychology to understand religious beliefs and practices, exploring how these elements evolve and manifest in human behavior.
  2. Rituals and Their Cognitive Underpinnings:
    A core area of focus involves the cognitive mechanisms behind rituals, including their social functions, psychological impacts, and evolutionary significance, as well as how rituals foster group cohesion.
  3. Embodied Representations in Religious Experience:
    The journal addresses the embodied nature of religious experiences, examining how physical sensations and perceptions influence and shape an individual's understanding of the divine.
  4. Interdisciplinary Perspectives:
    It encourages interdisciplinary research that combines insights from anthropology, psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to provide a comprehensive understanding of religion from a cognitive standpoint.
  5. Lexical and Semantic Studies in Religion:
    The exploration of language and its role in religious cognition, including how specific words and phrases can prime cognitive responses related to spirituality and divine concepts.
The recent publications in the Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion indicate several emerging themes that are gaining traction. These trends reflect a growing interest in understanding the cognitive dimensions of religious experience and behavior.
  1. Cognitive Neuroscience of Religious Experience:
    There is a rising interest in exploring the neural correlates of religious experiences, with studies examining how brain activity relates to spiritual feelings and divine encounters.
  2. Embodied Cognition in Religion:
    The concept of embodiment is becoming increasingly relevant, as researchers investigate how physical experiences and sensations inform religious beliefs and practices.
  3. Algorithmic and Information Theory in Religion:
    Emerging discussions around the application of algorithmic thinking and information theory to understand religious cognition suggest a modern approach to analyzing how humans process religious information.
  4. Social Dynamics of Rituals:
    Recent publications are showing a trend towards exploring the social dynamics of rituals, particularly how they influence group behavior, social cohesion, and individual psychological well-being.
  5. Cognitive Templates and Religious Cognition:
    Research into cognitive templates—mental structures that shape how individuals understand and relate to religious concepts—has gained prominence, reflecting a deeper exploration of cognitive frameworks in religious contexts.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to explore various themes, some areas appear to be declining in prominence or frequency of publication. These waning themes reflect shifts in focus within the journal's scope.
  1. Neolithic Religiosity Studies:
    Research specifically targeting Neolithic religious practices seems to be less emphasized in recent publications, possibly due to a broader shift towards contemporary cognitive studies over historical analyses.
  2. Generalized Theories of Religion:
    There is a noticeable decrease in papers that propose broad, generalized theories about religion, as the journal appears to favor more specific, empirical studies grounded in cognitive and evolutionary frameworks.
  3. Traditional Religious Textual Analysis:
    The journal seems to be moving away from in-depth textual analysis of traditional religious scriptures, focusing instead on cognitive and experiential aspects of religion.

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