Kognition und Narration : zur Tradierung von Mythen

Similar to the trend in the study of religion, narrative theory has witnessed the development of a multitude of cognitive, evolutionary, and biopsychological theories in recent years. This survey article outlines the basic parameters of an evolutionary (modular) account of a narrative against the backdrop of cognitive theories of religion. Discussing the cultural scientific framework of an epidemiology of representations (Sperber) as a research agenda aligned with both approaches, common textual and paratextual features of mythical narratives are suggested as maximizing the range of interpretations (Iser) and enhancing the spread and stability of these narratives within changing cultural contexts.