TY - JOUR
T1 - Why religion’s burdens are light: From religiosity to implicit self-regulation
AU - Koole, S.L.
AU - McCullough, M.E.
AU - Kuhl, J.
AU - Roelofsma, P.H.M.P.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - 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. © 2010 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.
AB - 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. © 2010 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.
U2 - 10.1177/1088868309351109
DO - 10.1177/1088868309351109
M3 - Article
SN - 1088-8683
VL - 14
SP - 95
EP - 107
JO - Personality and Social Psychology Review
JF - Personality and Social Psychology Review
IS - 1
ER -