Ensar Acem
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ensaracem.bsky.social
Ensar Acem
@ensaracem.bsky.social

Evolutionary and contextual analysis of cooperation, morality, religion, politics, and reasoning. | PhD cand. & lab manager at the Moral Intuitions Lab.

Open for collabs 📩
Website: sites.google.com/view/ensaracem
Does Religion Make Us Better? Exploring Faith as Moral GPS
templetonreligiontrust.org
August 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Had a great time presenting our results on how religious and secular authority cues shape altruistic punishment at the "Trust and Cognition" workshop hosted by OZU Social Cognition Lab, led by Dr. Pınar Ugurlar.

Big thanks to everyone who sparked such thought-provoking discussion!
May 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We tested MFQ-2 and MAC-Q in a Turkish sample (N=1099).

1️⃣ Both fit well.
2️⃣ MFQ-2 explained more variance in psychological variables.
3️⃣ MAC-Q better predicted moral behavior (e.g., generosity, cooperation).

#MoralPsychology #moralfoundations #moralityascooperation

🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s121...
Validation of the moral foundations questionnaire-2 in the Turkish context: exploring its relationship with moral behavior - Current Psychology
Despite the considerable attention it has received, Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) remains open to criticisms regarding failure to conceptualize the moral domain. MFT was revised in response to these ...
doi.org
February 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Reposted by Ensar Acem
As religious beliefs increase, the perception of compatibility between religion and science on existential issues rises.

Conversely, as belief in science grows, the perception of conflict between religion and science increases.

The data comes from the UK, the Netherlands, and Kazakhstan.
February 8, 2025 at 9:41 PM
🚨 New paper! 🚨

Cognitive reflection was negatively correlated with belief in God & disbelief in evolution—for both Christians & non-believers.

This challenges the idea that reflection simply reinforces prior beliefs—challenging ERM and supporting DPM.

🔗 doi.org/10.1017/jdm....
February 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
🚨 Our chapter, "Heroism as Moral Intuition," is now available in the Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies.

We explore heroism as evolved moral intuition for conflict resolution from the perspective of Morality as Cooperation Theory.

link.springer.com/referencewor...
Heroism as Moral Intuition
'Heroism as Moral Intuition' published in 'Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies'
link.springer.com
May 2, 2024 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by Ensar Acem
Generalized morality culturally evolves as an adaptive heuristic in large social networks.

psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?d...
September 27, 2023 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Ensar Acem
🚨 Post-doc alert 🚨

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Religious Belief in Jordan Grafman’s Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab & Northwestern University

Details: www.cognitiveneuroscienceofreligion.org/opportunities
September 27, 2023 at 10:58 PM
🧠 Curious about the fascinating world of cognitive science and religion?

🚀 Follow this account for insightful updates that will expand your understanding.

#CognitiveScience #Religion
#HiSciSky, we are here to publish current findings, cutting-edge methods, and opportunities in the cognitive science of religion. We will also write about the history of religion. Soon we will start! Follow us and stay tuned!
September 27, 2023 at 10:50 PM
🔬🧠 #HiSciSky!

I'm a PhD candidate in Psychological Sciences exploring the fascinating overlap between social psychology and behavioral economics.

My focus? Morality, religion, politics, and cooperation.

Stay tuned for intriguing insights from my research journey! 🌟
September 23, 2023 at 9:12 PM