Analytic Atheism in Japan: Examining the Association Between Analytic Thinking and Religious Beliefs

Scholars in the cognitive and evolutionary sciences of religion have examined various hypotheses to explain the individual differences in religious disbelief. One such hypothesis is the analytic atheism hypothesis, which predicts an association between higher analytic thinking and lower religious beliefs. Although previous studies have found evidence supporting this hypothesis, some suggested cultural constraints (i.e. the association was observed only in religious countries). To accumulate empirical data on this hypothesis, this pre-registered study examined the analytic atheism hypothesis in Japan, where it has rarely been tested. We employed two different measures of religious beliefs: the 13-item measure used in previous studies conducted in Japan in Study 1 and the Supernatural Belief Scale in Study 2. We also compared the relative strength of the association with religious beliefs among measures of analytic thinking (Cognitive Reflection Test; CRT), empathic concern, and exposure to parents’ credibility-enhancing displays (CREDs) during childhood. Study 1 (N = 1,460) found that higher CRT scores were associated with fewer religious beliefs, as predicted. However, empathic concerns and CRED exposure were more strongly associated with these beliefs. These findings were replicated in Study 2 (N = 1,306), confirming the robustness of our results. This study provides reliable evidence for the analytic atheism hypothesis. The implications of understanding the cognitive foundations of religiosity are also discussed.