Cultural transmission of religious beliefs involves multiple mechanisms that affect adoption and persistence.
Transmission Modes
- Vertical: Parent to child (most stable)
- Horizontal: Peer to peer
- Oblique: Non-parent adults to children
Costly Signaling Theory
Expensive rituals and sacrifices signal genuine commitment, building trust within religious communities.
CREDs
Credibility-Enhancing Displays (CREDs) are actions that demonstrate sincere belief, making transmission more effective.