title: Immigration, parasitic infection, and United States religiosity.
abstract: Fincher & Thornhill (F&T) present a powerful case for the relationship between parasite-stress and religiosity. We argue, however, that the United States may be more religious than can be accounted for by parasite-stress. This greater religiosity might be attributable to greater sensitivity to immigration, which may hyperactivate evolved mechanisms that motivate avoidance of potential carriers of novel parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Pryale Hall, Rochester, MI 48309, USA. jnwall@oakland.edu
authors.forename: Jaimie N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: Todd K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Shackelford
mesh_terms: D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological