BELIEF SYSTEMS

CHARACTERISTICS (ROBERT ABELSON)

• Elements are not consensual, content is usually highly "open," held in varying degrees of certitude
• Belief systems are concerned with the existence or nonexistence of certain conceptual entities
• Belief systems often include representations of "alternative worlds" (typically, world as is and as should be)
• Belief systems rely heavily on evaluative and affective components (good vs bad as motivational forces)
• Belief systems are likely to include a substantial amount of episodic material (folklore, propaganda)

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HOMEWORK

• Read The Virgin of Guadalupe by Eric Wolf
• Make flashcards of concepts and terms
• Begin study guide for IB exam