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

• 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
• ISSN: 1088-8683; 1532-7957
• DOI: 10.1177/1088868309351109

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.