Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Atheists use science like believers use faith in times of stress, says study [View all]
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/08/atheists-use-science-like-believers-use-faith-in-times-of-stress-says-study/A new study suggests that science performs the same function in some peoples lives as faith does in the lives of religious believers. According to Science magazine, individuals placed under stress turned to science as a means of coping with feelings of stress and anxiety in a study which was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.
Scientists in the study questioned members of competitive rowing teams and recruited 100 of them, mostly in their 20s, who said that they lacked strong religious beliefs. The rowers were divided into two groups, one set of whom were about to race in a regatta, and a second group facing a much less stressful competition.
Group members were then asked whether they agree or disagree with statements like, We can only rationally believe in what is scientifically provable, and All the tasks human beings face are soluble by science, and The scientific method is the only reliable path to knowledge.
Athletes who were preparing to compete were, predictably, under more stress than athletes who were under less pressure. In addition, they were statistically more likely to express a strong belief in scientific principles, 15 percent more than their less stressed counterparts.
..
Scientific thinking and religious thinking derive from very different bases, said the studys authors. Science is based in analytical thinking, rational inquiry and an objective weighing of evidence. Religious thought is founded on intuition, inner experience, and a valuing of historical revelation. Both, however, help people make sense of the world around them and gives them a sense of belonging.
In stressful situations people are likely to turn to whatever worldviews and beliefs are most meaningful to them, study co-author and Yale University psychologist Anna-Kaisa Newheiser told Science.
Scientists in the study questioned members of competitive rowing teams and recruited 100 of them, mostly in their 20s, who said that they lacked strong religious beliefs. The rowers were divided into two groups, one set of whom were about to race in a regatta, and a second group facing a much less stressful competition.
Group members were then asked whether they agree or disagree with statements like, We can only rationally believe in what is scientifically provable, and All the tasks human beings face are soluble by science, and The scientific method is the only reliable path to knowledge.
Athletes who were preparing to compete were, predictably, under more stress than athletes who were under less pressure. In addition, they were statistically more likely to express a strong belief in scientific principles, 15 percent more than their less stressed counterparts.
..
Scientific thinking and religious thinking derive from very different bases, said the studys authors. Science is based in analytical thinking, rational inquiry and an objective weighing of evidence. Religious thought is founded on intuition, inner experience, and a valuing of historical revelation. Both, however, help people make sense of the world around them and gives them a sense of belonging.
In stressful situations people are likely to turn to whatever worldviews and beliefs are most meaningful to them, study co-author and Yale University psychologist Anna-Kaisa Newheiser told Science.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
37 replies, 6852 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (1)
ReplyReply to this post
37 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Atheists use science like believers use faith in times of stress, says study [View all]
Phillip McCleod
Jun 2013
OP
more of the usual bs trying to equate "science" with "religious faith in science."
mike_c
Jun 2013
#3
Why do you think the rowers in the high-stress group expressed a significantly stronger belief ...
Jim__
Jun 2013
#25