Citation

Koole SL, McCullough ME, Kuhl J, Roelofsma PHMP. Pers. Soc. Psychol. Rev. 2010; 14(1): 95-107.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1088868309351109

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

To maintain religious standards, individuals must frequently endure aversive or forsake pleasurable experiences. Yet religious individuals on average display higher levels of emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. The present article seeks to resolve this paradox by suggesting that many forms of religion may facilitate a self-regulatory mode that is flexible, efficient, and largely unconscious. In this implicit mode of self-regulation, religious individuals may be able to strive for high standards and simultaneously maintain high emotional well-being. A review of the empirical literature confirmed that religious stimuli and practices foster implicit self-regulation, particularly among individuals who fully internalized their religion’s standards. The present work suggests that some seemingly irrational aspects of religion may have important psychological benefits by promoting implicit self-regulation.