Research testing evolutionary models of religious morality shows that
supernatural beliefs in moralizing gods affect prosociality.
However, the effects of beliefs related to local supernatural agents have
not been extensively explored. Drawing from a Mauritian Hindu sample,
we investigated the effects of beliefs and practices related to two
different types of local supernatural agents (spirits of the deceased,
unconcerned with morality) on preferential resources allocation to
receivers differing in geographical and social closeness to participants.
These spirits are ambiguously linked to either ancestor worship or
sorcery practice. Previous studies suggested that sorcery beliefs erode
social bonds and trust, but such research is often limited by social
stigma and missing relevant comparison with other beliefs. To
overcome these limitations, we used nuanced free-list data to discern
between the two modes of spirit beliefs and tested how each
contributes to decision-making in economic games (Random Allocation,
Dictator). Expressing sorcery beliefs together with performing rituals
addressed to the spirits was associated with greater probability of rulebreaking
for selfish/parochial outcomes in the Random Allocation Game
(compared to ancestor worship). No difference in money allocations
was found in the Dictator Game.