TY - JOUR
T1 - The ego dampening influence of religion
T2 - evidence from behavioral genetics and psychology
AU - Sasaki, Joni Y.
AU - Kim, Heejung S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2021/8
Y1 - 2021/8
N2 - Religion is a product of evolutionary and biological processes. Thus, understanding why some people are religious and how it impacts their everyday lives requires an integrated perspective. This review presents a theoretical framework incorporating recent findings on religious influences on the behavioral expression of genetic and psychological predispositions. We propose that religion may facilitate ego dampening, or weakening of the impact of one's internal drive, for the service of sociality. Evidence from gene–environment interaction and behavioral studies suggests that religious beliefs and practices may dampen more prepotent, self-focused motives that can be at odds with cooperation and social cohesion. The review underscores the importance of taking an interdisciplinary perspective to understand complex and fundamental questions about religion.
AB - Religion is a product of evolutionary and biological processes. Thus, understanding why some people are religious and how it impacts their everyday lives requires an integrated perspective. This review presents a theoretical framework incorporating recent findings on religious influences on the behavioral expression of genetic and psychological predispositions. We propose that religion may facilitate ego dampening, or weakening of the impact of one's internal drive, for the service of sociality. Evidence from gene–environment interaction and behavioral studies suggests that religious beliefs and practices may dampen more prepotent, self-focused motives that can be at odds with cooperation and social cohesion. The review underscores the importance of taking an interdisciplinary perspective to understand complex and fundamental questions about religion.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85090121513&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.08.007
DO - 10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.08.007
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32892031
AN - SCOPUS:85090121513
SN - 2352-250X
VL - 40
SP - 24
EP - 28
JO - Current Opinion in Psychology
JF - Current Opinion in Psychology
ER -