Journal
PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN
Volume 32, Issue 2, Pages 174-187Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/0146167205280251
Keywords
religion; supernatural agents; mortality salience; culture; existential concerns
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Four studies examined whether awareness of mortality intensifies belief in supernatural agents among North Americans. In Studies 1 and 2, mortality salience led to more religiosity, stronger belief in God, and in divine intervention. In Studies 3 and 4, mortality salience increased supernatural agent beliefs even when supernatural agency was presented in a culturally alien context (divine Buddha in Study 3, Shamanic spirits in Study 4). The latter effects occurred primarily among the religiously affiliated, who were predominantly Christian. Implications for the role of supernatural agent beliefs in assuaging mortality concerns are discussed.
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