Curriculum Vitae
RYAN G. HORNBECK
Thrive Center for Human Development
Graduate School of Psychology
Fuller Theological Seminary
180 North Oakland
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: 314-807-9481
[email protected]
EDUCATION
DPhil.
Anthropology, University of Oxford, 2013
MSc.
Anthropology, University of Oxford, 2007
BA.
Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, 2003
Academic
Exchange
Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Psychology, 2012
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS/EMPLOYMENT
2011-Present
Research Faculty, Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological
Seminary.
2008-2010
Lecturer, Jianghan University (江汉大学), School of Foreign Languages
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Under Review
Hornbeck, R. G. Pure War: Moral Cognition and Spiritual Experiences in
Chinese World of Warcraft.
Edited Volumes
Under Contract Hornbeck, R. G. & J. L. Barrett. Homo Religiosus and the Dragon: Testing
Naturalness Theory of Religious Cognition in China. Springer
International.
Refereed Journal Articles
In Press
Hornbeck, R. G. & Sears, R. “Mysticism and Mind: Using Cognitive
Science of Religion to Explore the Origins of Mystical Experience.” European Journal for Philosophy of Religion.
2015
Hornbeck, R. G. “Explaining Time Spent in Multiplayer Online Games:
Moral Cognition in Chinese World of Warcraft.” Games and Culture.
doi:10.1177/1555412015570112
2013
Hornbeck, R. G. & J. L. Barrett. “Refining and Testing
‘Counterintuitiveness’ in Virtual Reality: Cross-Cultural Evidence for
Recall of Counterintuitive Representations.” International Journal for the
Psychology of Religion 23 (1): 15-28.
2008
Hornbeck, R. G. & J. L. Barrett. “Virtual Reality as a ‘Spiritual’
Experience: a Perspective from the Cognitive Science of Religion.”
Northern Lights 6(1): 75-90.
Book Chapters:
In Press
Hornbeck, R. G. “Anthropology.” Zondervan Dictionary of Christianity and
Science. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Manuscripts in Submission
Hornbeck, R. G. “Explaining Time Spent in MMO Games: Steampunk
Anthropology and Moral Cognition in Chinese World of Warcraft.”
(revised and resubmitted) Games and Culture.
Hornbeck, R. G. & J. L. Barrett. “Testing Ritual Form Hypothesis in a
Chinese Cultural Context.” (first round review) Journal of Cognition and
Culture.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Hornbeck, R. G., Hao, C. & J.L. Barrett. “Ritual Form Hypothesis and
Ritual Imbalance in Contemporary Mainland China” (article)
Web-Based Publications
2014
“Cognitive Science of Religion, et. al.” CSRPortal.
2014
“A Christian Response to Tooby and Cosmides’ ‘Evolutionary Psychology:
A Primer.’” Biologos.
2014
“Apples, Oranges, and Four Stones of Common Grace.” Fieldnotes
Magazine.
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND AWARDS
2011
Templeton World Charities Foundation Research Grant, “Naturalness
Theory of Religious Cognition – The Chinese Challenge.” Co-PI with Justin
L. Barrett ($1.7 million).
2010
Excellent Foreign Teacher of Wuhan City: Dedication to Work Award (杰
出贡献奖)
2010
Mover of Jianghan University Award (感动江大新闻人物)
2010
Jianghan University Most Popular Foreign Teacher Award (最受欢迎的外
籍教师)
2008
John Templeton Foundation Junior Research Grant, ‘Testing Minimally
Counterintuitive Theory in Virtual Reality,’ (£21,000/$33,775)
INVITED TALKS
2015
“Spirituality in Virtual Worlds.” Society for Scientific Study of Religion.
Newport Beach, CA. October 23-25 (upcoming).
2014
“Mysticism and Mind: Using Cognitive Science of Religion to Explore the
Origins of Mystical Experience.” Russian Academy of Sciences. Moscow,
RU. May 22-24.
2014
“The Cognitive Foundations of Spiritual Experiences in Video Games.” Is
Religion Natural? The Chinese Challenge Conference at Hong Kong
Disneyland, HK. April 23.
2014
“Teleological Reasoning and the Naturalness Theory of Religious
Cognition. Beijing, CN.” Xiamen University. Beijing, CN. March 20.
2014
“Teleological Reasoning and the Naturalness Theory of Religious
Cognition. Beijing, CN.” Zhejiang University. Hangzhou, CN. March 14.
2014
“Teleological Reasoning and the Naturalness Theory of Religious
Cognition. Beijing, CN.” Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Beijing,
CN. March 11.
2014
“Teleological Reasoning and the Naturalness Theory of Religious
Cognition. Beijing, CN.” Beijing University. Beijing, CN. March 9.
2014
“Teleological Reasoning and the Naturalness Theory of Religious
Cognition.” Sun Yat-Sen University. Guangzhou, CN. March 6.
2013
“Some Predictors and Positive Effects of Spiritual Experiences in Video
Games.” International Positive Psychology Association World Congress on
Positive Psychology. Los Angeles, CA. June 27-30.
2012
“Spiritual Experiences in Chinese World of Warcraft.” Society for the
Scientific Study of Religion Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. November 10.
2012
“Collective Effervescence in Chinese World of Warcraft.” Southern
California Working Group on Culture, Cognition, and Religion. Pasadena,
CA. February 3.
2011
“Cognitive Science of Religion: A Brief Introduction.” Chinese Academy of
Sciences Institute of Psychology. Beijing, CN. December 21.
2011
“Cognitive Science of Religion: A Brief Introduction.” Beijing University.
Beijing, CN. December 20.
2011
“Cognitive Science of Religion: A Brief Introduction.” Beijing Forestry
University. Beijing, CN. December 19.
2011
“Moral Cognition in Massively Multiplayer Online Games.” University of
Oxford. March 4.
2010
“Introduction to the Cognitive Science of Religion.” Wuhan University.
Wuhan, CN. December 23.
2010
“Introduction to the Cognitive Science of Religion.” Jianghan University.
Wuhan, CN. December 15.
2009
“Testing ‘Minimally Counterintuitive Theory’ in Virtual Reality.” Society
for the Scientific Study of Religion Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. October
23-25.
2009
“A System for Coding, Quantifying, and Comparing Emotional
Experiences.” Culture, Cognition & Construction Conference. London, UK.
May 22-23.
CONFERENCE ACTIVITY
Conferences Organized
2014
Is Religion Natural? The Chinese Challenge Conference. Hong Kong
Disneyland, HK. April 23.
Panels Organized
2012
Cognitive Science of Religion in China. Society for Scientific Study of
Religion. Phoenix, AZ. November 9.
Conferences Chaired
2014
Developing Virtue, East & West Conference. California State University at
Fullerton. Fullerton, CA. June 19-20.
Posters
2014
Poster Session Contributor. “Combat Role Predicts Moral Cognition in
Chinese World of Warcraft.” Fuller School of Psychology 50th Anniversary
Conference. Pasadena, CA. February 20-21.
CAMPUS / DEPARTMENTAL TALKS
2014
“Moral Cognition in World of Warcraft.” Fuller School of Psychology 50th
Anniversary Conference. Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. February 21.
2013
“Moral Cognition Predicts Time Spent in Chinese World of Warcraft.” Thrive
Center Reflectorium. Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. December 9.
2012
“Chinese World of Warcraft and Morality.” Center for Missiological Research
Colloquium. Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. January 25.
2011
“Spiritus Ex Machina in Chinese World of Warcraft.” Center for Anthropology
and Mind. Oxford Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology. May 11.
2011
“Spiritus Ex Machina in Chinese World of Warcraft.” Center for Anthropology
and Mind. Oxford Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology. February 2.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (UNDERGRADUATE)
New Mexico State University Carlsbad, Adjunct Faculty
Introduction to Anthropology (online course) (Fall 2008).
Introduction to Sociology (online course) (Spring 2008, Fall 2008).
Jianghan University, Lecturer
Histories and Cultures of English-Speaking Countries (Spring 2009, Fall 2009).
Thesis Writing (Fall 2009).
Introductory Spoken English (Fall 2008, Spring 2009).
Advanced Spoken English (Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009).
SERVICE TO PROFESSION
Peer Review
Article Reviewer, International Journal of Psychology (Wiley), 2015
Article Reviewer, Games and Culture (Sage Publications), 2014-present
Proposal Reviewer, Templeton Press, 2012
Academic Community
Founder and Director, Cognitive Science of Religion et al.: www.CSRPortal.org.
MEDIA COVERAGE
2014
Can Video Games be a Spiritual Experience? PBS Digital Studios. May 22.
Accessed from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK91LAiMOio.
2014
[Translated]: World of Warcraft and Chinese Religion. Sina News. February 19.
2014
[Translated]: World of Warcraft and “harmonious society” in China.
MyDrivers.com. February 19.
2014
Is World of Warcraft a Religion? One Anthropologist Thinks so. Kill Screen
Magazine. February 11.
2014
[Translated] Troll’s Eye. ShangDu.com. July 6.
2014
[Translated] Teleological Reasoning and the Naturalness Theory of Religious
Cognition at the International Institute of Religion. Guangming News. March
14.
2010
[Translated] A Bridge of Cultural Exchange. Jhun.edu. April 14.
2010
[Translated] Foreign Teacher Wins Prestigious Teaching Award. Wuhan TV
(CCTV 6).
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES (PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERSHIPS)
American Academy of Religion
Society for Scientific Study of Religion
Royal Anthropological Institute
American Anthropological Association
LANGUAGES
English: native
Chinese: advanced reading, writing, speaking
REFERENCES
Justin L. Barrett
Director of Thrive Center for Human Development
Thrive Professor of Developmental Science
School of Psychology
Fuller Theological Seminary
180 North Oakland
Pasadena, CA 91101
+1 626-304-3782
[email protected]
Jonathan A. Lanman
Acting Director
Institute of Cognition and Culture
Queens University, Belfast
ICC, 2-4 Fitzwilliam Street
Belfast, BT71NN
Northern Ireland
UK
+44 (0) 28-9097-1173
[email protected]
Liqi Zhu
Professor
Institute of Psychology
Chinese Academy of Sciences
16 Lincui Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100101
China
+86 10-64836643
[email protected]
Ryan Nichols
Associate Professor
Department of Philosophy
California State University, Fullerton
Humanities Building 311
Fullerton, CA 92834-6868
+1 657-278-3394
[email protected]