Metaphysical Chauvinism and Perceptions of Deviance in Religion, Atheism, and Alien Realms

Abstract

Metaphysical chauvinism suggests that prejudicial attitudes extend beyond earthly concerns. Two studies examined this notion with attention to potential preferential treatment accorded religious belief systems. In Study 1, participants (N = 169) were randomly assigned to rate 1 of 6 target groups (people with mental illness, atheists, people claiming alien visitations, people reporting angelic visitations, religious people, or “people like me”) regarding social, moral, and psychological normalcy—deviance. Data supported the existence of metaphysical chauvinism in social and psychological but not the moral aspects. In Study 2, using a between-subjects design, participants (N = 92) evaluated an art object ostensibly created by a person in response to an angelic visitation, an alien visitation, or a simple dream. Overt social distance measures and physical contact with the object supported the notion that angelic visitations were regarded more positively.