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Is motivation influenced by geomagnetic activity?

S Starbuck1, G Cornélissen, F Halberg

  • 1University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|March 26, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Solar cycles may influence religious motivation. A 21-year cycle in Jehovah's Witnesses' church activity correlates with solar activity, suggesting a link between solar effects and human motivation, particularly at lower latitudes.

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Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Heliophysics
  • Sociology of Religion

Background:

  • Investigating potential non-photic, non-thermic solar influences on human motivation.
  • Exploring a scientific connection between solar cycles and religious activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze chronobiologically worldwide Jehovah's Witnesses' activity data (1950-1999).
  • To assess if solar cycles correlate with religious motivation and activity patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of yearly global data on church work hours from 103 locations.
  • Application of least squares spectra and non-linear least squares fit to identify cyclical patterns.
  • Regression analysis of rhythm parameters (MESOR, amplitude, period) with geomagnetic latitude.

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Main Results:

  • A significant approximately 21-year cycle was detected in religious activity, aligning with the Hale solar cycle.
  • The 21-year cycle's amplitude was stronger at lower and middle latitudes.
  • Higher latitudes showed better resolution (narrower confidence intervals) for the 21-year cycle.

Conclusions:

  • Solar activity cycles may influence human motivation, specifically religious engagement.
  • Geomagnetic activity, influenced by latitude, might affect brain areas related to motivation.
  • The study provides evidence for solar-geomagnetic influences on human behavior and motivation.