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Modulation of the Neurophysiological Response to Fearful and Stressful Stimuli Through Repetitive Religious Chanting
Published on: November 4, 2021
Reactive approach motivation (RAM) for religion
Ian McGregor1, Kyle Nash, Mike Prentice
1Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ianmc@yorku.ca
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 23, 2010
Summary
Anxious uncertainty triggers religious zeal, especially in highly anxious or approach-motivated individuals. This reactive religious zeal, linked to anxiety management, was most evident in those feeling disempowered.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Anxious uncertainty is a significant psychological stressor.
- Past research indicates anxious uncertainty can elicit reactive approach motivation (RAM).
- Religious beliefs and zeal are often invoked during times of stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between anxious uncertainty threats and reactive religious zeal.
- To explore individual difference factors moderating this relationship, including anxiety, approach motivation, and feelings of disempowerment.
- To examine whether this zeal is specific to religious ideals versus superstitious beliefs.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted involving participants exposed to anxious uncertainty threats.
- Measures included assessments of anxiety, uncertainty aversion, approach motivation (Promotion Focus, Behavioral Activation, Action Orientation, Self-Esteem), and religious beliefs/zeal.
- Participants' feelings of disempowerment were also assessed in one study.
Main Results:
- Anxious uncertainty threats significantly amplified religious zeal, particularly among highly anxious, uncertainty-averse, and approach-motivated individuals.
- The effect was specific to religious ideals, not general superstitious beliefs.
- Reactive religious zeal was strongly linked to feelings of disempowerment in daily goals.
Conclusions:
- Anxious uncertainty can provoke a reactive approach motivation manifested as heightened religious zeal.
- This phenomenon supports a model of empowered religious idealism as a coping mechanism for anxiety.
- Individual differences in anxiety, motivation, and perceived control play crucial roles in this response.
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