Why Religion’s Burdens Are Light: From Religiosity to Implicit Self-Regulation

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 th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and social psychology review 2010-02, Vol.14 (1), p.95-107
Main Authors: Koole, Sander L., McCullough, Michael E., Kuhl, Julius, Roelofsma, Peter H. M. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Culture
Emotions
Existentialism
Fear
Humans
Internal-External Control
Literature reviews
Object Attachment
Quality of Life - psychology
Regulation
Religion
Religion & psychology
Religion and Psychology
Religiosity
Self control
Social Conformity
Social Identification
Social psychology
Uncertainty
Unconscious (Psychology)
Unconsciousness
Well being
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Summary: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:1088-8683
1532-7957
DOI:10.1177/1088868309351109