Week 3 - Functions of Religion

SBNR

Spiritual but Not Religious; identifies with individualistic spirituality and a belief in God as a cosmic force.

Individualism

Focus on self as a unique entity, separate from others.

Collectivism

Focus on in-group relationships, important groups, and community.

Why are people religious?

Ultimate and proximate factors

Ultimate Factors

Over-perception of agency, beliefs in “supernatural watchers” increased cooperation

Over perception of agency

False positive more adaptive than false negative

Gods/deities are often perceived as extremely agentic

Proximate Factors

Proximate factors tell us about everyday functions of religion

Cognitive, motivational (most relevant), social

Functions of Religion

1) Meaning 2) Control 3) Self-enhancement 4) Belonging 5) Terror management

Meaning in Religion

Explanations for events/outcomes and sense of purpose in life

Why is religion uniquely capable of providing meaning?

1) Comprehensiveness 2) Accessibility 3) Transcendence 4) Significance

Control in Religion

Order, structure, and predictability in the world, contributing to a sense of control.

Self-Enhancement in Religion

Seeing oneself as a good/worthy/moral person, often supported by religious beliefs.

Belonging in Religion

Fulfilling the need to belong through relationships with God and other religious individuals.

Terror Management

Coping with the awareness of mortality, often through belief in deities.