Why Religion's Burdens Are Light: From Religiosity to Implicit Self-Regulation
Autor(en): | Koole, Sander L. McCullough, Michael E. Kuhl, Julius Roelofsma, Peter H. M. P. |
Stichwörter: | ACTION ORIENTATION; automatic process; DEATH; ESTEEM; FUNDAMENTALISM; GOALS; GOD; implicit process; MEDITATION; MORTALITY SALIENCE; Psychology; Psychology, Social; religion; self-regulation; SOCIAL-PERCEPTION; TERROR MANAGEMENT | Erscheinungsdatum: | 2010 | Herausgeber: | SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC | Journal: | PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW | Volumen: | 14 | Ausgabe: | 1 | Startseite: | 95 | Seitenende: | 107 | Zusammenfassung: | To maintain religious standards, individuals must frequently endure aversive or forsake pleasurable experiences. Yet religious individuals on average display higher levels of emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. The present article seeks to resolve this paradox by suggesting that many forms of religion may facilitate a self-regulatory mode that is flexible, efficient, and largely unconscious. In this implicit mode of self-regulation, religious individuals may be able to strive for high standards and simultaneously maintain high emotional well-being. A review of the empirical literature confirmed that religious stimuli and practices foster implicit self-regulation, particularly among individuals who fully internalized their religion's standards. The present work suggests that some seemingly irrational aspects of religion may have important psychological benefits by promoting implicit self-regulation. |
ISSN: | 10888683 | DOI: | 10.1177/1088868309351109 |
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