Recognizing religion's dark side: Religious ritual increases antisociality and hinders self-control

Area of Science:

• Psychology of Religion
• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The prevailing view links religious prosociality to increased self-control.
• This perspective suggests that religious practices enhance individuals' ability to regulate behavior, leading to greater kindness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the proposed link between religion, self-control, and prosociality.
• To investigate the nuanced effects of religion on both in-group and out-group interactions.
• To challenge the assumption that religion universally enhances self-control.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and theoretical analysis.
• Examination of existing empirical evidence on religion and self-control.
• Analysis of the impact of religious rituals on social behavior.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests religious prosociality is not solely explained by self-control.
• Religious practices may increase prosociality towards in-groups but decrease it towards out-groups.
• Rituals are associated with increased out-group derogation.
• Religion may, in fact, hinder rather than improve self-control in some contexts.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between religion, self-control, and prosociality is complex and requires a more nuanced account.
• Religion's impact on social behavior is context-dependent, affecting in-group and out-group dynamics differently.
• The assumption of religion universally enhancing self-control is not supported by current evidence.