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Running Head: BASIS FOR BELIEF

The Psychological Basis for Belief in God

Elizabeth A. Rooney

Glen Allen High School

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Abstract

This review provides the various psychological dimensions for the reasoning in human

belief in God. First, the belief in a god is defined as complex, addressing the notion that this

belief is constant throughout all religions and the theological implications are not being analyzed.

The second part discusses the evolutionary perspective and how belief could be advantageous for

humans, but also distinguishes that recent research provides an alternate viewpoint that belief is a

byproduct of mechanisms. The bulk of the research evaluates the cognitive styles that many

believers have, such as reflective vs. intuitive. Also, the attribution theory is cited as one of the

prominent psychological bases through which people base their belief and others belief.

Motivation through basic desires also gives an element of the behavioral lens in which people

need to satisfy these desires, such as the need to belong, through belief in God. The conclusion

discusses the importance and relevance of the behavioral and cognitive perspectives to belief.

Introduction

Before psychological reasons can be explained, the definition of belief in God is

necessary to elaborate. As defined by Williams, "belief in God is always at least belief that God

is a good thing" (p. 406). Belief cannot simply be the notion that one believes in the existence of

God, but rather that God is good, along with the knowledge that he exists. Belief is a complex

behavior, thought, and constant analysis of religious thought, thus it gives reasoning for various

psychological bases. Belief in God is also a vital element of religions across the world, and by

gaining an understanding of this belief through psychological reasons, it allows for an in depth

analysis of human nature as a whole.

Evolutionary Basis
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Based on evolutionary advantages, researchers have found that humans have been

predisposed to believe in God. There is an advantage in belief, enabling humans to counteract

risky situations, of which could result in death. The idea of supernatural observation may rid of

dangerous risk miscalculations, persuading the person to refrain from social deviance and to

preserve genetic fitness (Bering, 2006, p. 146). Survival has been a key goal of human

existence. Additionally, Gebauer and Maio note that recently, 6 out of 11 contributions held

that evolutionary needs of self-enhancement, attachment, positive social identity, uncertainty

reduction, and terror management were rooted in belief (2012, p. 466).

In addition to previous knowledge and research to the evolutionary perspective, it can be

concluded that the previous research is not entirely plausible. The recent research indicates that

religious beliefs are essentially byproducts of evolutionary mechanisms that were fit for

adaptations. This is due to an attempt to identify the adaptive function of religion is likely to

explain some aspects of religion, but not others, which in turn does not create a fully picture to

note that belief is an adaptation (Kirkpatrick, p. 926). In addition, functions in the brain, such as

simple and mechanical organization of patterns, turn into Functions such as reading. This can be

compared to religious belief in that functions of adapting to the environment can create the

Function of survival, as well as byproduct Functions of believing in a higher power that watches

over you (Kirkpatrick, p. 940). Also, Kirkpatrick suggests that psychological mechanisms are

sexually differentiated to the extent that the adaptive problems they are designed to solve differ

for males and females; particularly true in mating and reproduction (p. 946).

From the Cognitive Lens

The cognition of the human brain gives insight to the reasons for the belief in God,

especially with how this belief can be changed over time. Studies questioning children of
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different ages has shown that belief in the afterlife and God is not entirely cultural, because it

was found that the younger the child, the greater their metaphysical beliefs, or believing in the

afterlife, showing that the mind is predisposed to believe in a higher power (Bering, 2006,

p.144). Moreover, intuitive thinkers are found to have far stronger beliefs in God than reflective

thinkers. Three studies testing whether intuitive thinking predicts belief in God yielded that

mindsets favoring intuition significantly increased self-reported belief in God. Not only that, but

in two of the three studies it was found that cognitive style predicted self-reported changes in

belief since childhood, but was uncorrelated with religious influences in childhood experiences

(Shenhav, Rand, & Greene, 2012, p. 427). This intuitiveness also affects humans views of the

afterlife in that having these beliefs is the default state of our mind (Bering, 2006, p. 145). The

predisposed biases also influence our cognition of believing in God, as research finds that we

most easily recall stories with some counterintuitive or supernatural elements. It is necessary to

conclude that the type of thinker, along with our biases, reflect societies ingrained beliefs.

Furthermore, the attribution theory is a vital instrument in explaining supernatural belief.

The way in which people perceive self and others beliefs can be determined through the

attribution biases. In a study, believers perceived their own position as being more rational than

both the in-group and out-group for their respective belief positions, meaning that even when

others agree with ones self-belief, believers attribute more emotionality for the reason behind

others beliefs (Kenworthy, p. 143).

Motivation and Basic Desires

Motivation based on certain values and basic desires pushes religious humans to believe.

Empirical studies have shown support for the sensitivity theory of religious folk possessing

certain basic desires as motivations for believing in God. According to Reiss, religious
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experiences are well suited to help us regulate [our] joys and express associated core values (p.

313). For example, the desire for tranquility and personal safety is seen in belief because

through faith we have the potential to overcome fear and anxiety (Reiss, 2004, p. 317).

Additionally, religious people place below average value on independence, displaying the

reliance on belief to push them forward (p. 318).

In addition, it was found that the belief in God can be motivated by the desire to satisfy

the need to belong via affiliation with God. In a recent collection of studies, it was found that the

need to belong increases religious intensity (Gebauer & Maio, p. 491). These studies document

that the idea or image of an accepting and loving God is not sufficient to elicit belief in God:

the existence of God must also be perceived as plausible (p. 492). Innate human desires are

significant motivators for our beliefs especially those that delve into faith.

Conclusion

This review presented the prevalent perspectives that produce viable psychological

reasons for the belief in God. With most research delving into the cognitive perspective, the

style and attribution of belief reveal to be significant bases for religious belief. While

adaptations and byproduct mechanisms of the evolutionary perspective provide vast amounts of

data and conclusions, the cognitive and behavioral perspectives have greater relevance towards

the religious community today who are questioning the psychological basis for belief in God. In

future research, the emphasis needs to be placed on how these different perspectives interact, as

well as searching for answers in psychoanalysis and neuroscience. The root of human belief in

God is grounded in attribution of personal and others beliefs, a more reflective style of thinking,

and motivational innate desires.

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References

Bering, J. (2006). The Cognitive Psychology of Belief in the Supernatural Belief in a deity or an

afterlife could be an evolutionarily advantageous by-product of people's ability to reason

about the minds of others. American Scientist, 94(2), 142-149.

Gebauer, J. E., & Maio, G. R. (2012). The need to belong can motivate belief in God. Journal of

personality, 80(2), 465-501.

Kenworthy, J. (2003). Explaining the Belief in God for Self, In-Group, and Out-Group Targets.

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42(1), 137-146.

Kirkpatrick, L. A. (1999). Toward an evolutionary psychology of religion and personality.

Journal of personality, 67(6), 921-952.

Reiss, S. (2004). The sixteen strivings for God. Zygon, 39, 303-320.

Shenhav, A., Rand, D. G., & Greene, J. D. (2012). Divine intuition: cognitive style influences

belief in God. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 141(3), 423.

Williams, J. (1992). Belief-in and Belief in God. Religious Studies, 28(3), 401-406.