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Cognitive flexibility and religious disbelief.

Leor Zmigrod1,2, P Jason Rentfrow3, Sharon Zmigrod3,4

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK. lz343@cam.ac.uk.

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Summary

Religious disbelief and less frequent religious service attendance correlate with greater cognitive flexibility. Current religious affiliation, rather than upbringing, significantly influences cognitive control styles, linking thought flexibility with religious ideologies.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuropsychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Sociology of Religion

Background:

  • Cognitive flexibility involves shifting thought modes and adapting to change.
  • Religious systems often emphasize strict rules, offering stability and consistency.
  • This study explores the relationship between religious adherence and cognitive persistence versus flexibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between cognitive flexibility/persistence and religious affiliation, practice, and upbringing.
  • To determine if religious belief or disbelief influences cognitive styles.
  • To assess the relative impact of current religious affiliation versus upbringing on cognitive flexibility.

Main Methods:

  • A large sample (N=744) completed behavioral measures of cognitive flexibility.
  • Participants were assessed on religious affiliation, practice frequency (service attendance), and upbringing.
  • Cognitive flexibility was measured using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Remote Associates Test, and Alternative Uses Test.

Main Results:

  • Religious disbelief was associated with increased cognitive flexibility across all measures.
  • Lower frequency of religious service attendance correlated with greater cognitive flexibility.
  • Current religious affiliation was a stronger predictor of cognitive flexibility than religious upbringing.

Conclusions:

  • Religious affiliation and engagement appear to influence cognitive control styles, favoring either flexibility or persistence.
  • The findings suggest a complex interplay between cognitive flexibility, religious ideologies, and individual practices.
  • Cognitive flexibility is demonstrably linked to religious disbelief and reduced religious engagement.