Articles tagged with Religion
A study by Penn State researcher Christopher Scheitle found that people who leave strict religious groups are more likely to report poorer health than those who remain in the group. The study analyzed data from over 30,000 cases and found that only about half of former members reported excellent health.
A new study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociologist Philip Schwadel found that Gen Xers are surprisingly loyal to their faith, in contrast to Baby Boomers who are 40-50% more likely to disaffiliate. The research suggests that this loyalty may translate into a more stable nation in terms of religiosity.
The study, led by D. Michael Lindsay, categorizes evangelical leaders into pragmatic, heroic, circumspect, and brazen types based on their personal faith engagement in workplace decision-making. The research highlights the diversity of evangelicals' approaches to business leadership and their motivations.
A study by Ryotaro Uemura found that people without a religious affiliation hold less favorable opinions about the US. In contrast, ethnic minority groups and first-generation US citizens do not necessarily exhibit significant differences in national attitudes.
A recent brain study found that thinking about God decreases distress and anxiety in people who believe, but has the opposite effect on those who don't. For believers, this mental preparation may help them cope with mistakes and setbacks more effectively.
A recent study found that consumers strongly relate to underdog brands, identifying with their stories of struggle and perseverance. The authors' experiments showed that brand biographies highlighting external disadvantage and passion for overcoming adversity drive purchase interest.
Researchers found that small-scale corruption in the South African police force is commonplace and often condoned by those involved. Police officers frequently accept gifts from residents, which should not be seen as bribes but rather as a social gesture to build relationships.
A new Brigham Young University study reveals that parenting style significantly influences teens' heavy drinking habits. Teens with parents who scored high on both accountability and warmth were least prone to heavy drinking, while those with 'indulgent' or 'strict' parents faced higher risks.
Adolescents describe their spiritual behavior in seven categories related to personal and social development. Youth report feeling a sense of purpose, connection, and well-being as key aspects of their spirituality. The study explores how youth define and practice spirituality separate from religion.
Francisco Ayala, a renowned evolutionary biologist, has won the 2010 Templeton Prize for his contributions to affirming life's spiritual dimension through scientific research. He promotes mutual respect between science and faith, suggesting they are not mutually exclusive but rather complement each other.
A new study by Rice University sociologists examines the role of private foundations in supporting religion and finds they have a significant influence despite limited financial contributions. The study highlights the Lilly Endowment's strategic giving, which has a real impact on the religious sector.
A study analyzed 52 paintings of the Last Supper and found that portion size, plate size, and bread size increased dramatically over the past thousand years. The main courses depicted grew by 69%, while plate sizes increased by 66% and bread sizes by 23%.
A UBC-led research team explores the evolutionary underpinnings of human societies, contradicting previous theories on cooperation. The study found that small-scale societies with limited market integration and world religion adherence show less concern for fairness and punishment.
A new study suggests that cooperation in large societies is partly dependent on historical forces like religious beliefs and market transactions. The extent of punishment used to enforce norms increases and decreases with the number of people in the society.
Researchers believe Salado pottery, created between 1275 and 1450, promotes fertility and cooperation, decreasing conflict among females and connecting different ethnic groups. The traditional movement allowed communities to stabilize in modern-day Arizona and New Mexico.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that most Americans believe God is directly involved in their personal affairs, with 82% relying on God for help and guidance. Higher education and income levels are associated with lower beliefs in divine intervention, but surprisingly, more religiously active individuals in these group...
A study at Rush University Medical Center found that belief in a concerned God improves response to medical treatment for clinical depression. Participants who scored high on the Religious Well-Being Scale were 75% more likely to experience an improvement with medication.
Research finds that selective brain damage, particularly in parietal regions, can modulate human spirituality and religious attitudes. The study identified a causative link between specific brain lesions and changes in self-transcendence, a personality trait reflecting spiritual feeling and behavior.
A new study suggests that morality and religion are linked but distinct concepts. Experimental moral psychology reveals that individuals' moral judgments operate independently of explicit religious commitments.
A recent study by Brandeis and Rice University sociologists found that families frequently raise the topic of prayer when a child is seriously ill or dying. Pediatricians respond to these requests in different ways, including participating in prayers, accommodating them, reframing prayers for realism, or referring patients to religious...
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that religious individuals tend to rely on their own beliefs when inferring what God might believe, but are less constrained when reasoning about others' beliefs. This suggests a unique egocentric bias in believers' thinking about God's views.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified over 90% of Sicilian temples facing east, sparking new insights into Ancient Greek practices. The study suggests an 'astronomical fingerprint' may distinguish between Greek and native settlements.
Pediatric physicians tend to pragmatically consider religion and spirituality in family decision-making and end-of-life situations, but view them as barriers when they conflict with medical decisions. The study found that pediatricians often welcome patients' religious beliefs when medicine has failed or all options are exhausted.
A national survey found that 90% of physicians were satisfied or very satisfied with chaplains' spiritual services. Physicians who endorsed religion's effect on patients and believed it was acceptable to pray with patients were more likely to be satisfied. The study also found that physicians in the Midwest were more likely to be satis...
Researchers found that devout Christians and nonbelievers use the same brain regions to judge the truth of religious and nonreligious propositions. The study also found increased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) when contrasting belief and disbelief, regardless of content.
The Geological Society of America has awarded Judge John E. Jones III the prestigious President's Medal for his role in defending the teaching of evolution in schools. As part of a 5-member panel discussion on Darwin Day, he will explore issues related to presenting scientific knowledge and accommodating challenging concepts.
A study by psychologists found that individuals with strong moral convictions tend to distrust authorities' decisions, while those with high religiosity trust them. Participants based their trust on gut reactions rather than thoughtful deliberation.
A new study by Michael Hout and Claude S. Fischer of the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that the growth in number of Americans citing no religion may be slower than previously reported. The researchers found that the trend continued through 2008, with a possible stagnant growth period in late 90s and early 2000s.
A University of Michigan study found that college students majoring in social sciences and humanities tend to become less religious, while those in education become more. In contrast, biology and physical sciences majors remain equally religious. The study suggests a connection between postmodernism and religiosity.
A new UAB study reveals that prisoners with positive social support networks are more likely to maintain their religious convictions. The research, conducted in-depth interviews with 63 inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, found that social support played a crucial role in helping inmates cope with prison life.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that patients who draw on religion to cope with their illness are more likely to receive intensive, life-prolonging medical care as death approaches. This study suggests that physicians tend to comply with religious patients' wishes for more aggressive care.
Patients with advanced cancer who used religious faith to cope were more likely to receive intensive life-prolonging medical care, according to a study. Positive religious coping was associated with nearly three times the odds of receiving mechanical ventilation and preferring heroic measures.
A new study published in Springer's Journal of Happiness Studies found that children who develop a strong sense of personal worth and deep relationships, measures of spirituality, are happier. The study suggests that strategies like expressing kindness and volunteering may help increase happiness in children.
A study by University of Miami professor Michael McCullough found that religious people have more self-control than their less religious counterparts. This increased self-control can lead to better school achievement, lower rates of substance abuse, and longer lives.
A new study reveals that nanotechnology is perceived as less morally acceptable in the United States and certain European countries with stronger religious traditions. The survey found that levels of religiosity are a strong predictor of views on nanotechnology, highlighting a paradox in a country known for its technological advancements.
A Brandeis University study published in Poetics analyzed 683 prayers written between 1999 and 2005. The researchers found that prayer writers typically frame their prayers broadly to allow multiple outcomes to be interpreted as evidence of being answered. Most writers anthropomorphized God, addressing it as a relative or friend.
A recent study published in Psychology and Health suggests that attending religious services regularly can reduce the risk of death among post-menopausal women by approximately 20 percent. The researchers found that even after controlling for other factors such as social support and lifestyle choices, the improvements in mortality rate...
A new study finds that high levels of individualism are associated with increased beer and alcohol consumption. In the US, individualistic regions showed higher rates of teen drinking, heavy drinking, and adult binge drinking.
Research at Temple University suggests that religiosity can offer insight into a person's risk for depression. Higher levels of existential well-being were found to be associated with a lower risk of depression. Involvement in religious services and community interaction may also play a role in preventing depression.
Researchers Ara Norenzayan and Azim Shariff found that religious people are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviour when it enhances their reputation or when religious thoughts are freshly activated. This study suggests that religion played a vital role in the rise of large, stable societies by encouraging cooperation and trust.
A new Northwestern University study finds that liberals fear a barren, lifeless world without deep feelings and intense experiences, while conservatives fear chaos and societal collapse. The research sheds light on why conservatives prefer authoritarian leaders and may explain differences in political orientation.
A new study by Rice University sociologists defines the evangelical movement and its effects on polling, revealing varying percentages based on operationalization strategies. The research found that depending on how one defines an evangelical, the percentage of Republicans among them varies significantly.
A study found that high levels of religious participation may contribute to adolescent depression among Latino and Asian-American youth, particularly those who face cultural conflicts between their faith and mainstream American society. In contrast, white and African-American teens showed no significant increase in depressive symptoms.
A study found that gay couples with children and strong religious beliefs are more likely to formalize their relationship through commitment ceremonies. The study, published in the Journal of Family Psychology, suggests that these couples may be motivated by parenting and religious commitments.
A University of Missouri professor found that men conducting field research on women are limited to specific subjects due to restrictions on access. The Diola people's culture and rituals, such as their fertility shrine Ehugna, were difficult for male researchers to study due to social norms and expectations.
A new study from Brandeis University found that hospital chaplaincy services are strongly predicted by general demographic and institutional characteristics, rather than national accreditation guidelines. The study also suggests that increasing attention to religion and spirituality in medicine may be the result of doctors' and nurses'...
A Phase III clinical trial found that a blood substitute was relatively safe for patients under 80 years old with moderate transfusion needs, but not suitable for those over 80 with acute health issues. The study showed promising results for the blood substitute in reducing the need for regular blood transfusions.
Research found that users on Yahoo Answers use the platform to exchange advice and opinions, as well as technical expertise. The study analyzed one month of activity on the site, finding that questions seeking factual answers received fewer replies, while those requesting common-sense advice and opinion garnered longer answer threads.
A University of Chicago study reveals that older adults are more socially engaged in their communities, despite popular stereotypes. Many people in this age group volunteer, attend religious services, and spend time with neighbors on a weekly basis.
A new study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family reveals that attending religious services is predictive of marital fidelity. The researchers found that prayer, faith, and other dimensions of religious life had no association with infidelity.
Researchers found that happily married African-American couples relied heavily on their spouses for support during difficult times, as well as turning to their faith for guidance. Effective management of differences and communication were key strategies used by the couples to resolve conflicts.
A new study published in Social Science Quarterly reveals that religious women are less likely to obtain abortions compared to secular women. This is because religious women tend to lead more sexually conservative lifestyles, which reduces their likelihood of becoming pregnant before marriage and seeking an abortion.
A new study by Temple University finds that women who stopped being religiously active were more than three times likely to suffer generalized anxiety and alcohol abuse/dependence. Conversely, men who stopped being actively religious experienced decreased major depression.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that psychiatrists are less religious than other physicians but more comfortable addressing patients' spiritual concerns. Psychiatrists are twice as likely to discuss spiritual issues with patients and more likely to encourage patients in their own religious ideas.
A new University of Missouri-Columbia study highlights the importance of religion and spirituality as positive health coping mechanisms for persons with chronic disabilities. The research suggests that healthcare providers should encourage religious practices to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at UBC find that priming people with 'god concepts' promotes altruism, regardless of whether participants identify as believers or not. The study also reveals that secular notions of civic responsibility promote cooperation and generosity.
Recent terror attacks have raised concerns about discriminating against overseas doctors who work in the NHS. The Lancet Editorial warns that such actions would be shameful and unjust, given the significant contributions overseas doctors have made to the healthcare system.
A new U of M study finds that while most Americans value diversity, they struggle to describe its value and give real-life examples. The researchers conclude that American diversity-speak is a sort of 'happy talk,' an upbeat language in which everyone has a place.
Researchers developed a scale to measure sense of humor, finding generational and individual differences in humor preferences. The study shows that humour is not universally good or bad, but rather depends on personal characteristics.
Researchers explore how religious leaders and congregations respond to HIV/AIDS, with a focus on the impact on black church communities. The study aims to identify existing support groups and reveal how social networks can increase self-worth and prolong lives.