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 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.
Koole
Sander L
SL
VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. SL.Koole@psy.vu.nl
McCullough
Michael E
ME
Kuhl
Julius
J
Roelofsma
Peter H M P
PH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003469:Culture; D004644:Emotions; D005086:Existentialism; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009769:Object Attachment; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012925:Social Conformity; D012933:Social Identification; D035501:Uncertainty; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology