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Self-control, cultural animals, and Big Gods
Tania Reynolds1, Roy F Baumeister1
1Psychology Department,Florida State University,Tallahassee,FL 32306.reynolds@psy.fsu.edubaumeister@psy.fsu.eduhttp://psy.fsu.edu/faculty/baumeister.dp.html.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 8, 2016
Summary
Religion aids large-scale cooperation by enhancing self-control, overcoming common implementation obstacles. This research explores how religious practices foster better self-regulation for group benefit.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Sociology of Religion
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Religions successfully proliferated by promoting prosociality and cooperation.
- Religion may enhance cooperation through improved self-control mechanisms.
- Understanding religion's role in self-regulation is key to large-scale societal functioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how religion facilitates self-control.
- To identify obstacles to self-control implementation.
- To explore religious strategies for overcoming these obstacles.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of existing research on religion and self-control.
- Review of psychological and sociological literature.
- Conceptual framework development.
Main Results:
- Religion provides frameworks and practices that can bolster self-control.
- Common obstacles include immediate gratification and social pressures.
- Religious doctrines and rituals offer tools to manage impulses and promote long-term goals.
Conclusions:
- Religion is a significant factor in promoting self-control, thereby facilitating cooperation.
- Religious interventions may offer effective strategies for enhancing self-regulation in diverse populations.
- Further research can explore specific religious practices and their impact on self-control.
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