title: The nonconscious influence of religious symbols in motivated performance situations.
abstract: Anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories suggest that religious symbols should influence motivational processes during performance of goal-relevant tasks. In two experiments, positive and negative religious (Christian) symbols were presented outside of participants' conscious awareness. These symbols influenced cardiovascular responses consistent with challenge and threat states during a subsequent speech task, particularly when the speech topic concerned participants' mortality, and only for Christian participants; similar images lacking Christian meaning were not influential. Results suggested that these effects were due to the learned meaning of the symbols and point to the importance of religion as a coping resource.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207, USA. remington_m@mercer.edu
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weisbuch-Remington
authors.forename: Wendy Berry
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Seery
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blascovich
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D002140:California; D002835:Christianity; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D013360:Subliminal Stimulation; D013561:Symbolism