Are human tendencies toward religious and spiritual thoughts, feelings, and actions outcomes of "natural" cognition? This volume revisits the "naturalness theory of religious cognition" through discussion of new qualitative and quantitative studies examining the psychological foundations of religious and spiritual expression in historical and contemporary China. Naturalness theory has been challenged on the grounds that little of its supporting developmental and experimental research has drawn on participants from predominantly secular cultural environments. Given China's official secularity, its large proportion of atheists, and its alleged long history of dominant, nonreligious philosophies, can any broad claim for religion's psychological "naturalness" be plausible? Addressing this empirical gap, the studies discussed in this volume support core naturalness theory predictions for human reasoning about supernatural agency, intelligent design, the efficacy of rituals, and vitalistic causality. And yet each study elucidates, expands upon, or even challenges outright the logical assumptions of the naturalness theory. Written for a non-specialist audience, this volume introduces the naturalness theory and frames the significance of these new findings for students and scholars of cultural psychology, the psychology of religion, the anthropology of religion, and Chinese Studies.

The downsides of monogamy are felt by most people engaged in long-term relationships, including restrictions on self-discovery, limits on friendship, sexual boredom, and a circumscribed understanding of intimacy. Yet, a "happily ever after" monogamy is assumed to be the ideal form of romantic love in many modern societies: a relationship that is morally ideal and will bring the most happiness to its two partners. In Why It's OK to Not Be Monogamous, Justin L. Clardy deeply questions these assumptions. He rejects the claim that non-monogamy among honest, informed and consenting adults is morally impermissible. He shows instead how polyamorous relationships can actually be exemplars of moral virtue. The book discusses how social and political forces sustain and reward monogamous relationships. The book defines non-monogamy as a privative concept; a negation of monogamy. Looking at its prevalence in the United States, the book explains how common criticisms of non-monogamy come up short. Clardy argues, as some researchers have recently shown-monogamy relies on continually demonizing non-monogamy to sustain its moral status. Finally, the book concludes with a focus on equality, asking what justice for polyamorous individuals might look like.

Grooming is among the most evolutionary ancient and highly represented behaviours in many animal species. It represents a significant proportion of an animal's total activity and between 30-50% of their waking hours. Recent research has demonstrated that grooming is regulated by specific brain circuits and is sensitive to stress, as well as to pharmacologic compounds and genetic manipulation, making it ideal for modelling affective disorders that arise as a function of stressful environments, such as stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. Over a series of 12 chapters that introduce and explicate the field of grooming research and its significance for the human and animal brain, this book covers the breadth of grooming animal models while simultaneously providing sufficient depth in introducing the concepts and translational approaches to grooming research. Written primarily for graduates and researchers within the neuroscientific community.

What does God's creation of humanity through the process of evolution mean for human flourishing? The emerging field of evolutionary psychology remains controversial, perhaps especially among Christians. Yet according to Justin Barrett and Pamela Ebstyne King it can be a powerful tool for understanding human nature and our distinctively human purpose. Thriving with Stone Age Minds provides an introduction to evolutionary psychology, explaining key concepts like hyper-sociality, information gathering, and self-control. Combining insights from evolutionary psychology with resources from the Bible and Christian theology, Barrett and King focus fresh attention on the question, What is human flourishing? When we understand how humans still bear the marks of our evolutionary past, new light shines on some of the most puzzling features of our minds, relationships, and behaviors. One key insight of evolutionary psychology is how humans both adapt to and then alter our environments, or "niches." In fact, we change our world faster than our minds can adapt-and then gaps in our "fitness" emerge. In effect, humans are now attempting to thrive in modern contexts with Stone Age minds. By integrating scientific evidence with wisdom from theological anthropology, we can learn to close up nature-niche gaps and thrive, becoming more what God has created us to be. BioLogos Books on Science and Christianity invite us to see the harmony between the sciences and biblical faith on issues including cosmology, biology, paleontology, evolution, human origins, the environment, and more.

The downsides of monogamy are felt by most people engaged in long-term relationships, including restrictions on self-discovery, limits on friendship, sexual boredom, and a circumscribed understanding of intimacy. Yet, a "happily ever after" monogamy is assumed to be the ideal form of romantic love in many modern societies: a relationship that is morally ideal and will bring the most happiness to its two partners. In Why It's OK to Not Be Monogamous, Justin L. Clardy deeply questions these assumptions. He rejects the claim that non-monogamy among honest, informed and consenting adults is morally impermissible. He shows instead how polyamorous relationships can actually be exemplars of moral virtue. The book discusses how social and political forces sustain and reward monogamous relationships. The book defines non-monogamy as a privative concept; a negation of monogamy. Looking at its prevalence in the United States, the book explains how common criticisms of non-monogamy come up short. Clardy argues, as some researchers have recently shown-monogamy relies on continually demonizing non-monogamy to sustain its moral status. Finally, the book concludes with a focus on equality, asking what justice for polyamorous individuals might look like.

The cognitive science of religion is a new discipline that looks at the roots of religious belief in the cognitive architecture of the human mind. The Roots of Religion deals with the philosophical and theological implications of the cognitive science of religion which grounds religious belief in human cognitive structures: religious belief is 'natural', in a way that even scientific thought is not. Does this new discipline support religious belief, undermine it, or is it, despite many claims, perhaps eventually neutral? This subject is of immense importance, particularly given the rise of the 'new atheism'. Philosophers and theologians from North America, UK and Australia, explore the alleged conflict between truth claims and examine the roots of religion in human nature. Is it less 'natural' to be an atheist than to believe in God, or gods? On the other hand, if we can explain theism psychologically, have we explained it away. Can it still claim any truth? This book debates these and related issues.

Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Lizards and Tuatara is a remarkable compendium of chapters written by the world's leading experts from over four continents. The book begins with a chapter recounting historical discoveries in reproductive biology and a review of phylogenetics and up-to-date hypotheses concerning evolutionary relationships among lizards. Following these chapters are detailed reviews with additional new data concerning chemical communication, sexual selection, reproductive cues, female reproductive anatomy, female reproductive cycles, oogenesis, parthenogenesis, male reproductive anatomy, male reproductive cycles, spermatogenesis, reproductive investment, viviparity and placentation, multiple paternity, and parental care. The book culminates in two chapters on tuatara reproduction giving unique insight into evolutionary patterns in reproductive biology in squamates and tuatara. This is an essential resource for anyone studying reproduction in reptiles and/or vertebrates and offers a fascinating read for those interested in reproductive biology.

Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Lizards and Tuatara is a remarkable compendium of chapters written by the world's leading experts from over four continents. The book begins with a chapter recounting historical discoveries in reproductive biology and a review of phylogenetics and up-to-date hypotheses concerning evolutionary relationships among lizards. Following these chapters are detailed reviews with additional new data concerning chemical communication, sexual selection, reproductive cues, female reproductive anatomy, female reproductive cycles, oogenesis, parthenogenesis, male reproductive anatomy, male reproductive cycles, spermatogenesis, reproductive investment, viviparity and placentation, multiple paternity, and parental care. The book culminates in two chapters on tuatara reproduction giving unique insight into evolutionary patterns in reproductive biology in squamates and tuatara. This is an essential resource for anyone studying reproduction in reptiles and/or vertebrates and offers a fascinating read for those interested in reproductive biology.

Many Christians wonder what the Christian life is all about. They hear about "grace" but struggle to rightly understand it, much less live it. They are taught about God, but their vision of him does not always reflect the full biblical portrait of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When this happens Christians struggle to know the ways of God and how to joyfully participate in his work. The God Who Gives provides a compelling vision of Christian faith and life, helping readers discover the uniqueness of the gospel - that God's kingdom comes not by taking, but by giving - God gives Himself! We are invited into the fullness of life that can only come through the gift of God's divine generosity. Taking readers through the grand biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and kingdom author Kelly M. Kapic helps us see our story in and through the story of Scripture. He shows that everything belongs to God, and yet because of our turning and taking from him we experience a kind of suffocating bondage to sin. So how does God reclaim us? God gives again. The God who gave in creation restores by recreating us through his Son and by his Spirit. The kingdom of God is an overflowing measure of divine generosity that we are invited to participate in. The God Who Gives calls readers to discover that the whole Christian story is founded upon the Triune God's self-giving and our belonging to God. Fully embracing this truth changes how we view God, ourselves, and the world. Living in God's gifts, we are freed to give ourselves and truly experience life.

Biological drug and vaccine manufacturing has quickly become one of the highest-value fields of bioprocess engineering, and many bioprocess engineers are now finding job opportunities that have traditionally gone to chemical engineers. Fundamentals of Modern Bioprocessing addresses this growing demand. Written by experts well-established in the field, this book connects the principles and applications of bioprocessing engineering to healthcare product manufacturing and expands on areas of opportunity for qualified bioprocess engineers and students. The book is divided into two sections: the first half centers on the engineering fundamentals of bioprocessing; while the second half serves as a handbook offering advice and practical applications. Focused on the fundamental principles at the core of this discipline, this work outlines every facet of design, component selection, and regulatory concerns. It discusses the purpose of bioprocessing (to produce products suitable for human use), describes the manufacturing technologies related to bioprocessing, and explores the rapid expansion of bioprocess engineering applications relevant to health care product manufacturing. It also considers the future of bioprocessing-the use of disposable components (which is the fastest growing area in the field of bioprocessing) to replace traditional stainless steel. In addition, this text: Discusses the many types of genetically modified organisms Outlines laboratory techniques Includes the most recent developments Serves as a reference and contains an extensive bibliography Emphasizes biological manufacturing using recombinant processing, which begins with creating a genetically modified organism using recombinant techniques Fundamentals of Modern Bioprocessing outlines both the principles and applications of bioprocessing engineering related to healthcare product manufacturing. It lays out the basic concepts, definitions, methods and applications of bioprocessing. A single volume comprehensive reference developed to meet the needs of students with a bioprocessing background; it can also be used as a source for professionals in the field.

Are human tendencies toward religious and spiritual thoughts, feelings, and actions outcomes of "natural" cognition? This volume revisits the "naturalness theory of religious cognition" through discussion of new qualitative and quantitative studies examining the psychological foundations of religious and spiritual expression in historical and contemporary China. Naturalness theory has been challenged on the grounds that little of its supporting developmental and experimental research has drawn on participants from predominantly secular cultural environments. Given China's official secularity, its large proportion of atheists, and its alleged long history of dominant, nonreligious philosophies, can any broad claim for religion's psychological "naturalness" be plausible? Addressing this empirical gap, the studies discussed in this volume support core naturalness theory predictions for human reasoning about supernatural agency, intelligent design, the efficacy of rituals, and vitalistic causality. And yet each study elucidates, expands upon, or even challenges outright the logical assumptions of the naturalness theory. Written for a non-specialist audience, this volume introduces the naturalness theory and frames the significance of these new findings for students and scholars of cultural psychology, the psychology of religion, the anthropology of religion, and Chinese Studies.

The serotonin transporter is a key brain protein that modulates the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin from synaptic spaces back into the presynaptic neuron. This control over neuronal signalling makes it a prime area of neuroscientific study. In this book an international team of top experts introduce and explicate the role of serotonin and the serotonin transporter in both human and animal brains. They demonstrate the relevance of the transporter and indeed the serotonergic system to substrates of neuropsychiatric disorders, and explain how this knowledge is translated into valid animal models that will help foster new discoveries in human neurobiology. Writing for graduate students and academic researchers, they provide a comprehensive coverage of a wide spectrum of data from animal experimentation to clinical psychiatry, creating the only book exclusively dedicated to this exciting new avenue of brain research.

Biological drug and vaccine manufacturing has quickly become one of the highest-value fields of bioprocess engineering, and many bioprocess engineers are now finding job opportunities that have traditionally gone to chemical engineers. Fundamentals of Modern Bioprocessing addresses this growing demand. Written by experts well-established in the field, this book connects the principles and applications of bioprocessing engineering to healthcare product manufacturing and expands on areas of opportunity for qualified bioprocess engineers and students. The book is divided into two sections: the first half centers on the engineering fundamentals of bioprocessing; while the second half serves as a handbook offering advice and practical applications. Focused on the fundamental principles at the core of this discipline, this work outlines every facet of design, component selection, and regulatory concerns. It discusses the purpose of bioprocessing (to produce products suitable for human use), describes the manufacturing technologies related to bioprocessing, and explores the rapid expansion of bioprocess engineering applications relevant to health care product manufacturing. It also considers the future of bioprocessing-the use of disposable components (which is the fastest growing area in the field of bioprocessing) to replace traditional stainless steel. In addition, this text: Discusses the many types of genetically modified organisms Outlines laboratory techniques Includes the most recent developments Serves as a reference and contains an extensive bibliography Emphasizes biological manufacturing using recombinant processing, which begins with creating a genetically modified organism using recombinant techniques Fundamentals of Modern Bioprocessing outlines both the principles and applications of bioprocessing engineering related to healthcare product manufacturing. It lays out the basic concepts, definitions, methods and applications of bioprocessing. A single volume comprehensive reference developed to meet the needs of students with a bioprocessing background; it can also be used as a source for professionals in the field.

The cognitive science of religion is a new discipline that looks at the roots of religious belief in the cognitive architecture of the human mind. The Roots of Religion deals with the philosophical and theological implications of the cognitive science of religion which grounds religious belief in human cognitive structures: religious belief is 'natural', in a way that even scientific thought is not. Does this new discipline support religious belief, undermine it, or is it, despite many claims, perhaps eventually neutral? This subject is of immense importance, particularly given the rise of the 'new atheism'. Philosophers and theologians from North America, UK and Australia, explore the alleged conflict between truth claims and examine the roots of religion in human nature. Is it less 'natural' to be an atheist than to believe in God, or gods? On the other hand, if we can explain theism psychologically, have we explained it away. Can it still claim any truth? This book debates these and related issues.

"I am often amazed at how much more capability and enthusiasm for science there is among elementary school youngsters than among college students. . . . We must understand and circumvent this dangerous discouragement. No one can predict where the future leaders of science will come from."--Carl Sagan In 2012, the White House put out a call to increase the number of STEM graduates by one million. Since then, hundreds of thousands of science students have started down the path toward a STEM career. Yet, of these budding scientists, more than half of all college students planning to study science or medicine leave the field during their academic careers. What Every Science Student Should Know is the perfect personal mentor for any aspiring scientist. Like an experienced lab partner or frank advisor, the book points out the pitfalls while providing encouragement. Chapters cover the entire college experience, including choosing a major, mastering study skills, doing scientific research, finding a job, and, most important, how to foster and keep a love of science. This guide is a distillation of the authors' own experiences as recent science graduates, bolstered by years of research and interviews with successful scientists and other science students. The authorial team includes former editors-in-chief of the prestigious Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science. All have weathered the ups and downs of undergrad life--and all are still pursuing STEM careers. Forthright and empowering, What Every Science Student Should Know is brimming with insider advice on how to excel as both a student and a scientist.

Bayesian Econometric Methods examines principles of Bayesian inference by posing a series of theoretical and applied questions and providing detailed solutions to those questions. This second edition adds extensive coverage of models popular in finance and macroeconomics, including state space and unobserved components models, stochastic volatility models, ARCH, GARCH, and vector autoregressive models. The authors have also added many new exercises related to Gibbs sampling and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. The text includes regression-based and hierarchical specifications, models based upon latent variable representations, and mixture and time series specifications. MCMC methods are discussed and illustrated in detail - from introductory applications to those at the current research frontier - and MATLAB (R) computer programs are provided on the website accompanying the text. Suitable for graduate study in economics, the text should also be of interest to students studying statistics, finance, marketing, and agricultural economics.

The Price is Right is television’s longest-running game show. Since its inception in 1956, contestants have won cars, tropical vacations, diamond jewelry, even a live horse, and the hosts’ excited catchphrase “come on down!” has become part of our everyday vernacular. Part of the program’s enduring appeal is the apparent ease of the game, guessing the cash value of certain prizes. But, if that’s the case, then why do so many contestants come away from the show empty-handed? Solving The Price is Right is an in-depth exploration of the underlying probability theory of the popular television program that explores how biases and behavioral pitfalls limit our ability to successfully apply logic and math both on and off the show. With rigorous data and analysis compiled from Seasons 47 and 48 (356 total episodes), economist and popular mathematician Justin L. Bergner draws strategic and mathematical insights from all facets of the show, from Contestant’s Row bidding to the Showcase Showdown, and all 77 Pricing Games, using a combination of game theory, probability theory, statistics, and pattern recognition. In each section, Bergner summarizes contestant performance, highlights the biases leading to sub-par outcomes, and shows how outcomes can be improved by executing the right strategies while avoiding cognitive biases. Throughout, Bergner applies the lessons learned to the fields of business, finance, and our real lives, shedding light on themes of reverse psychology, strategic patience, and the importance of establishing what is sufficient for success in our pursuits. The result is a truly unique and meticulously researched book that uses Solving The Price is Right as a lens to examine our own choices – and how to make better ones.

Bayesian Econometric Methods examines principles of Bayesian inference by posing a series of theoretical and applied questions and providing detailed solutions to those questions. This second edition adds extensive coverage of models popular in finance and macroeconomics, including state space and unobserved components models, stochastic volatility models, ARCH, GARCH, and vector autoregressive models. The authors have also added many new exercises related to Gibbs sampling and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. The text includes regression-based and hierarchical specifications, models based upon latent variable representations, and mixture and time series specifications. MCMC methods are discussed and illustrated in detail - from introductory applications to those at the current research frontier - and MATLAB (R) computer programs are provided on the website accompanying the text. Suitable for graduate study in economics, the text should also be of interest to students studying statistics, finance, marketing, and agricultural economics.

Simple Truths to Find Love, Enjoyment, Trust, and Peace with God What is life? What are we here for? What is truly important? What will bring authentic satisfaction and lasting happiness? We all ask these questions, and we all have a right to come to our own conclusions. In this follow-up to his New York Times and USA Today bestseller Jesus Is ____, Judah completes this sentence as to what "life is," revealing how it is to be loved and to love, to enjoy God to the fullest, to trust God in every moment, and to be at peace with God, others, and ourselves. Judah writes as a friend, welcoming to the discussion new believers, lifelong followers of Jesus, and even the merely curious. In this six-session video based study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Judah shows us the irrational love of God and the life that he intends for us to have in the here and now. With excitement and humor, he looks at the stories in the Bible from a different angle and shows how life is all about loving God and loving others. This study guide includes leader helps, discussion questions, conversation starters, and between-session activities to enhance application of Judah's teaching. Sessions include: Life Is . . . to Be Loved by God Life Is . . . to Love Others Life Is . . . to Trust God Life Is . . . to Be at Peace with God Life Is . . . to be at Peace with Yourself Life Is . . . to Enjoy God Designed for use with the Life Is ____ Video Study 9780718030735 (sold separately).

In A Diabolical Voice, Justine L. Trombley traces the afterlife of the Mirror of Simple Souls, which circulated anonymously for two centuries in four languages, though not without controversy or condemnation. Widely recognized as one of the most unique and important mystical treatises of the late Middle Ages, the Mirror was condemned in Paris in 1310 as a heretical work and its author, Marguerite Porete, was burned at the stake. Trombley identifies, alongside the work's increasing positive reception, a parallel trend of opposition and condemnation centered specifically around its Latin translation. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, she discovers theologians, canon lawyers, inquisitors, and other churchmen who were entirely ignorant of the Mirror's author and its condemnation, and saw in the Mirror dangerous heresies which demanded refutation and condemnation. Using new evidence from the Mirror's largely overlooked Latin manuscript tradition, A Diabolical Voice charts the range of negative reactions to the Mirror, from confiscations and physical destruction to academic refutations and vicious denunciations of its supposedly fiendish doctrines. This parallel story of opposition shows how heresy remained an integral part of the Mirror's history well beyond the events of 1310, revealing how seriously churchmen took Marguerite Porete's ideas on their own terms, in contexts entirely removed from Marguerite's identity and her fate. Emphasizing the complexity of the Mirror of Simple Souls and its reception, Trombley makes clear that this influential book continues to yield new perspectives and understandings.

Why have religious beliefs and behaviors been nearly universal in human societies? What accounts for similarities and differences across time and across cultures? Could the answer lie in the human brain? Scholars in the cognitive science of religion (CSR) believe that it can- the prevalence of religion is a result of the way our minds work. CSR advances in psychology explain various patterns in religious thought and action. This scientific approach has grown rapidly over the past couple of decades. However, it has often been conflated with related subjects such as evolution and neuroscience. CSR is neither: it straddles the line between cognitive sciences and the study of religion. The Oxford Handbook of the Cognitive Science of Religion directly identifies CSR's unique contributions and clarifies its relationship to neighboring disciplines. With contributions from the field's founders and its rising stars, this volume offers a critical overview of more than 25 years of research. From discussions of human nature to the role of ritual, the contributors offer comprehensive and in-depth analysis of key questions in CSR. Readers will have a variety of entry points to truly grasp where CSR has been, where it is, and where it might go.