Delicious/tomrees

Seeing a purpose in nature may reduce fear of death

tomrees — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:02:42 +0000

Three studies show that teleological thinking - seeing purpose in nature - is increased in people primed with thoughts of death, and that priming with teleological thoughts decreases fer of death.

A Year After the Non-Apocalypse: Where Are They Now? | Religion Dispatches

tomrees — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:05:30 +0000

A reporter tracks down the remnants of Harold Camping’s apocalyptic movement and finds out you don’t have to be crazy to believe something nuts.

Religion is a potent force for cooperation and conflict, research shows

tomrees — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:05:06 +0000

Atran and Ginges also offer some insights that could help to solve conflicts fueled by religious conviction. Casting these conflicts as sacred initially blocks standard business-like negotiation tactics. But making strong symbolic gestures such as sincere apologies and demonstrations of respect for the other's values generates surprising flexibility, even among militants and political leaders, and may enable subsequent material negotiations, they point out.

Study Finds Income Inequality Leads To More US Deaths

tomrees — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:41:12 +0000

Income inequality at any one point doesn't work instantaneously - it begins increasing mortality rates 5 years later, and its influence peaks after 7 years, before fading after 12 years.

Real and hypothetical moral choices are not the same

tomrees — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:39:19 +0000

Studying showing that show that real moral decisions can dramatically contradict moral choices made in hypothetical scenarios.

Synesthesia may explain healers claims of seeing people's 'aura'

tomrees — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:39:04 +0000

Many people who claim to be able to see auras are actually synaesthetes, according to this Spanish study of some interesting cases.

The moral compass of Christians in the UK

tomrees — Sat, 05 May 2012 20:58:02 +0000

Most people (65%) think the word means something about how they were brought up or their attempts to be good! 40% simply see it as a description of their wish to be good! While only a little over 20% interpret the word to have anything to do with the teachings of Christ or their acceptance of him!

The bright side of death: Awareness of mortality can result in positive behaviors

tomrees — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:36:30 +0000

Following a review of dozens of studies, University of Missouri researchers found that thoughts of mortality can lead to decreased militaristic attitudes, better health decisions, increased altruism and helpfulness, and reduced divorce rates.

What Makes People Think a Ritual Is Effective? « peer-reviewed by my neurons

tomrees — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:30:04 +0000

Evidence from Brazil that more steps, more often, and more specific, help people to believe that a ritual is more effective.

Is some homophobia self-phobia?

tomrees — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:29:13 +0000

Homophobia is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires, a series of psychology studies demonstrates