In his paper, Sosis comes to the conclusion that religious rituals are adaptive and that they display loyalty within the group. In order to maintain the cooperation within a religious group, partaking in these rituals allow them to have certain benefits that those outside of the group do not have. This keeps the group in tact and eliminates any chance of freeloaders. When talking about honesty, Sosis mentions the costly behavior of the springbok antelope. In order to show that it is honest, the antelope jumps and runs in an open area right in front of its predator. Doing so shows the predator that the antelope is indeed not capable of capturing. The risk that the antelope is taking is much too costly to be a false signal. Richard Sosis,
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As Sosis mentions in the beginning of his article, the ultraorthodox Jews wear "long black coats and fur hats" all while looking oblivious to the blazing heat. Ibid., 167. This symbolizes that others in their group can trust them. Why else would they endure such costly rituals? Ibid. Although there are many religions in which members must endure what would seem to be, unnatural rituals, there are often many benefits that accompany these rituals. There is one prediction to these costly rituals that says that the groups that enforce the greater demands of their members will have the highest level of devotion. Richard Sosis, "The Adaptive Value of Religious Ritual," American Scientists 92.2 (March-April 2004): 169. Having the absolute devotion of the members, allows the group to achieve it's selected goals without worrying about members who might be less committed than others. Ibid.
Sosis states one specific example of Kibbutzim and how, despite the economic hardships of the 1980's, this society was completely unaffected. Ibid., 171. In this society, there are many restraints that would seem to prevent them from being economically proficient. For example, fruits are not allowed to be eaten for the first few years of a trees life.
As Sosis mentions in the beginning of his article, the ultraorthodox Jews wear "long black coats and fur hats" all while looking oblivious to the blazing heat. Ibid., 167. This symbolizes that others in their group can trust them. Why else would they endure such costly rituals? Ibid. Although there are many religions in which members must endure what would seem to be, unnatural rituals, there are often many benefits that accompany these rituals. There is one prediction to these costly rituals that says that the groups that enforce the greater demands of their members will have the highest level of devotion. Richard Sosis, "The Adaptive Value of Religious Ritual," American Scientists 92.2 (March-April 2004): 169. Having the absolute devotion of the members, allows the group to achieve it's selected goals without worrying about members who might be less committed than others. Ibid.
Sosis states one specific example of Kibbutzim and how, despite the economic hardships of the 1980's, this society was completely unaffected. Ibid., 171. In this society, there are many restraints that would seem to prevent them from being economically proficient. For example, fruits are not allowed to be eaten for the first few years of a trees life.