Articles tagged with Religion
The study found that religious beliefs can compensate for lost purpose in socially disconnected individuals, but do not restore it to the same level as human connections. People who rely on religion instead of social connections may feel more connected to God but still experience lower levels of purpose and direction in life.
A Baylor study reveals that religiosity drives donors to give, but materialism decreases charitable giving. Researchers suggest fundraisers can use this knowledge to boost giving.
A new study reveals that parents' strong religious beliefs are associated with a lower risk of suicidal behavior in their children. The research analyzed data from 214 children and found that higher parental religiosity was linked to lower rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A Baylor University study finds that many young adults with severe mental illness consider religion and spirituality relevant to their mental health. Researchers discovered unique ways in which this sample made sense of their difficult life situations through their religious/spiritual perspective.
A new study published in Science Advances has shown that a decline in religion is linked to a country's future economic prosperity. Secularisation precedes economic development, but only when accompanied by tolerance for individual rights like abortion, divorce, and homosexuality.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) is funding seven new research units and two new humanities centers focused on pressing issues in various fields. The research units will explore topics such as quantum thermodynamics, sustainability, and pruritus, while the humanities centers will investigate the reciprocal influences of religi...
The University of Oklahoma Institute for Human Flourishing will conduct approximately 10 new research projects, producing edited volumes and community outreach activities. The Civic Virtues Project will integrate civic virtues education in local schools.
A study published in the Journal of Drug Issues found that individuals with strong religious involvement are less likely to use marijuana recreationally and medically. The study, led by FSU Associate Professor Amy Burdette, examined data from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
A new study by UTSA researcher Christopher Ellison analyzes the impact of religious involvement on sleep quality, concluding that people with higher levels of religious involvement tend to have healthier sleep outcomes. The research suggests that religion benefits mental health by reducing stress, promoting social engagement and provid...
A nationwide study found that people with religious affiliations lived nearly four years longer than those with no ties to religion. The boost was attributed to various factors, including volunteerism, social organization involvement, and stress-reducing practices such as gratitude, prayer, or meditation.
A new study found that men with higher levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) had weaker religious ties. The research analyzed data from over 1000 men and suggests that physiological factors, such as hormones, may play a role in shaping religiosity later in life.
A new study from University at Buffalo finds a correlation between conservative Christian politics, same-sex marriage bans, and a rise in people identifying as religious 'none.' The research suggests that the public salience of the Christian right drives up the rate of nones.
A Baylor University study reveals that living arrangements have a more significant impact on shaping racial attitudes than congregational composition. The study found that attending white-only churches decreases comfort with non-white individuals, while living near diverse neighborhoods increases friendships across racial lines.
Historian Prof. Dr Gerd Althoff argues that peace agreements have historically been successful when opponents establish genuine trust, rather than relying solely on confidence-building measures. This approach emphasizes forgiveness, mutual visits, and friendly conversation to create a foundation for long-term peace.
A University of Michigan study found that individuals with a superiority complex tend to overestimate their knowledge and seek out biased information. They are more likely to choose articles that support their beliefs, even when presented with contradictory evidence.
A Baylor University study reveals that Republicans who believe in an actively engaged God are more likely to support generous welfare policies, while Democrats tend to be less compassionate. The research found that conservatives predict negative views on social justice and retributive justice, leading to differences in party positions.
A study by Rice University found that 80% of black and Latino Americans believe in the healing power of religious faith, while Korean-Americans see it as primarily supportive. The research aimed to understand the role of church in health promotion and explored how racial representation shapes distrust of medicine.
A Portland State University study found that counties with more religious populations tend to have less risk-averse hedge fund managers, resulting in smaller and younger funds. Despite this, these funds produce returns comparable to the industry average, suggesting a link between local religiosity and organizational risk-taking.
A quality improvement project found that 80% of patients completed advance directives after discussing their wishes with a hospital-based chaplain. Chaplain-facilitated conversations provided patients with peace of mind and reduced family member guilt, as they documented their wishes in a shared document.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that adolescents who experienced racism between 11-23 years old are more likely to take up smoking. The study analyzed questionnaire and interview data from over 6500 pupils, revealing a strong link between racial trauma and the development of smoking habits.
A new study finds that married veterans are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to their single counterparts. The research, which analyzed responses from 772 recently returned veterans, also highlights the importance of addressing spiritual struggles in veteran suicide prevention efforts.
Frequent internet users see themselves as 'free agents' and are less likely to choose a religious tradition. Internet use encourages 'tinkering' with religious ideas, leading to a broader array of beliefs.
A national survey found that many Americans support denying service to same-sex couples, but not necessarily due to religious reasons. The study also discovered surprising strong support for denying service to interracial couples, highlighting a disconnect between public views and anti-discrimination laws.
Researchers found a strong bond with family, religion, and land; positivity, work ethic, stubbornness, and self-confidence as common traits. Participants displayed better mental health than younger family members, despite poorer physical health.
A recent study published in Sexuality & Culture explores how LGBQ* women's sexual desire is influenced by sociocultural factors such as sexism, religion, and body image. The research reveals that these factors have a significant impact on the lives of LGBQ* women, particularly those who identify as women of color or bisexual.
Research by UCL shows that hunter-gatherer storytellers played a crucial role in promoting co-operative and egalitarian values. The study found that skilled storytellers had greater reproductive success, were more likely to be co-operated with, and lived in camps with higher levels of cooperation.
Researchers at UT Austin uncover a previously unknown Greek copy of the First Apocalypse of James, a heretical Christian text describing Jesus' secret teachings to his brother. The discovery sheds light on the forbidden writings that were thought to be lost until now.
A recent study by Rice University sociologists found that over a third of Latino respondents believe science education may negatively impact their children's faith. The study aimed to understand the relationship between STEM education and religious faith among blacks and Latinos, two groups with high levels of religiosity.
A study by Coventry University and Oxford University found no connection between intuitive or analytical thinking and supernatural beliefs. Instead, researchers suggest that upbringing and socio-cultural processes drive religious beliefs, contradicting the long-held theory of 'natural' intuition playing a key role.
A recent study by Stockholm University's Demography Unit found that shared custody arrangements reduce stress levels in children. Children living with one parent are more likely to experience stress due to the lack of resources and relationships, while shared physical custody allows for regular contact with both parents, promoting stab...
A new study found that partners who have low power in their relationships are stuck with their partner's preferred brands, leading to a death-by-a-thousand-cuts feeling and decreased happiness. The researchers used brand preferences in various products to study individuals and couples over two years.
Researchers used a new, non-destructive technology to access medieval texts hidden inside ancient bookbindings. By fusing visible hyperspectral and X-ray fluorescence imaging, they discovered sixth-century Roman Law code written in marginal comments.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that black and Hispanic patients are more likely to receive care from poorer quality hospices. In contrast, caregivers of these patients report similar or better experiences within the same hospice compared to white patients.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that half of those who avoid flu shots do so due to concerns over vaccine effectiveness and personal immune systems. The study also revealed that moral and religious reasons, as well as past poor vaccine experiences, contribute to avoidance.
A new study found that spousal engagement in healthy diet planning and shared glycemic control activities can help manage type 2 diabetes. Positive religious coping by the nondiabetic spouse is also linked to higher levels of shared activities, while negative coping is associated with lower participation.
A recent Norwegian study found that religious individuals regret casual sex only slightly more than non-religious individuals. However, women regret their most recent one-night stand much more than men do, while men regret missing an opportunity much more than women do.
A University of Colorado Boulder study compares domestic extremists to street gang members, finding significant differences in age, education level, religiosity, and ethnicity. The research also suggests that policies targeting gangs may not be effective for countering domestic extremism.
Researchers propose that religion is an evolved domain or instinct, while intelligence allows people to rise above instincts. This association is supported by historical evidence and recent survey data across different countries and groupings.
Researchers used an indirect measurement technique to estimate atheism prevalence in the US, finding that it may be as high as 20-35%, which challenges prevailing theories. The study's findings suggest that people may be reluctant to disclose their lack of belief due to stigma, leading to underreported rates.
A new study by Harvard University researchers suggests that people tend to view immoral actions as impossible, leading them to make more moral decisions. When given time for reflection, participants rate one-quarter of immoral actions as impossible, but with less time, they call half of them impossible.
A new study of over 13,000 adolescents found a link between video game exposure and sexism. The research suggests that repeated exposure to media influences how we perceive social realities, and that video games can shape attitudes towards women.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people's romantic choices share similarities, but for different reasons. Physical attractiveness tends to attract similar types, while educated or religious individuals tend to meet others with similar backgrounds.
Intellectual humility, an awareness of one's own fallibility, increases tolerance and improves decision-making abilities. The trait affects how people evaluate evidence, assess politicians' views, and engage in constructive discussions.
A new study finds that active religious participation correlates with stronger social support networks in communities. Regular religious activity is viewed as trustworthy and generous, leading to more sought-after support from others.
A study found that educating religious leaders about the benefits of male circumcision led to a significant increase in circumcision rates in Tanzania. The intervention is believed to have worked by empowering religious leaders to discuss circumcision with their congregations, and may be an effective way to promote other healthy behavi...
A recent study from Rice University reveals that evangelicals are significantly more skeptical of evolution (70% false) compared to climate change skepticism (28%). This finding challenges the common perception that anti-evolution and anti-climate change views are linked.
Rochester Institute of Technology professor Owen Gottlieb has received a $99,800 NSF award to design a capacity-building program for early-career gaming scholars. The grant will provide mentorship, networking, and research opportunities to support the next generation of game designers and developers.
A study found that West African cities with lower male circumcision rates in 1950 tended to have higher HIV-2 prevalence from 1985. Male circumcision is known to reduce HIV-1 prevalence, suggesting that lack of circumcision may have driven initial HIV-2 emergence.
A new study by Case Western Reserve University links avoiding spiritual struggles with poorer mental health outcomes, including higher levels of depression and anxiety. People who fully engage with these struggles report better mental health than those who avoid them.
A study published in Social Neuroscience found that devout Mormons' spiritual experiences are associated with activation in the nucleus accumbens, a critical brain region for processing reward. The researchers also found that spiritual feelings activate regions linked to focused attention and moral reasoning.
A Baylor University study found that wives who have a romantic view of marriage are less likely to do volunteer work, leading their husbands to volunteer less as well. The researchers also discovered that time spent alone with one's spouse is positively associated with husbands' reports of their own volunteering.
A study published in Marketing Science found that leveraging psychological theories on sympathy when drafting a fundraising letter can significantly increase donations. The experiment involved varying the content of fundraising letters and measuring the response, resulting in a 300% increase in donations.
A majority of British scientists who mentioned Richard Dawkins during research interviews reject his public engagement approach, feeling he misrepresents science and its norms. The study's findings emphasize the importance of promoting science over personal attacks to effectively communicate scientific knowledge.
A new study reveals a wide range of unexpected authors contributing to psychology research, including politicians, celebrities, and historical figures. Notable examples include Ben Carson, Tim Duncan, and the Dalai Lama.
Archaeologists have discovered a rare Etruscan inscription naming female goddess Uni, possibly the patron deity of the Poggio Colla cult. The 500-pound stele contains one of the longest Etruscan texts ever found, shedding light on ancient fertility rituals and writing systems.
A study published in Evolution and Human Behavior found that regular churchgoers are perceived as more generous and hardworking compared to others. The researchers suggest that this is due to the potent signal sent by these individuals, demonstrating their generosity, devotion, and commitment to contributing to their communities.
A new study by University of Calgary researchers finds that adolescents who attend religious services are less likely to view pornography. The study, which surveyed over 3,000 teenagers and their parents, suggests that religious attendance acts as a social control factor that discourages porn usage among young people.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have found a significant link between discrimination and heavy drinking among minority groups. The study, published in Social Science & Medicine, analyzed 97 peer-reviewed studies that showed a clear connection between racism, sexism, and homophobia and increased alcohol abuse.
A study published in The Open Psychology Journal found a strong correlation between motivation to work and attraction to leisure. Researchers discovered three distinct groupings of individuals based on their strongest motivational factors, suggesting that the 'work hard, play hard' motivation could serve an evolutionary purpose.
A Stanford University study found that the majority of California and Hawaii residents supported physician-assisted death, with no significant differences in support across ethnicities. Older adults were more likely to support the practice, while those who reported less importance of spirituality were more likely to be supportive.