Steven J. Scher

Steven J. Scher is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Eastern Illinois University. His research spans evolutionary psychology, cultural evolution, and the psychology of religion, with a focus on taboo behaviors like disgust and cannibalism, social support mechanisms, and the cognitive aspects of prayer.

• Education:
  • PhD in Psychology, Princeton University (1989)
  • MA in Psychology, Princeton University (1986)

Key research themes include:

• Evolutionary Psychology, particularly critiques of adaptationist frameworks.
• Psychology of Prayer, examining its relationship with subjective well-being.
• Cultural Evolution, exploring the Baldwin effect and its implications.
• Analysis of taboos, including disgust and cannibalism as evolutionary/cultural constructs.

His scholarly output since 2006 highlights interdisciplinary work bridging psychology, evolutionary theory, and philosophy. Articles focus on topics like evolutionary learning mechanisms, critiques of evolutionary psychology, and empirical studies on religious practices.

At Eastern Illinois University, Scher teaches courses in Evolutionary Psychology, Social Psychology, Research Methods, and Psychological Measurement, alongside specialized topics like Industrial & Organizational Psychology and the Psychology of Religion.