Religious fundamentalism is associated with hyperactive performance monitoring: ERP evidence from correct and erroneous responses

Biol Psychol. 2019 Jan:140:96-107. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.12.007. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine whether action monitoring is associated with religious fundamentalism. Participants performed a stop-signal task that required response inhibition to a simple auditory tone. The level of their religious fundamentalism was measured on a scale. Analysis with mixed-effects linear models revealed significantly larger error-related negativity, correct-related negativity, and post-error positivity components in individuals scoring higher on religious fundamentalism, pointing to their increased engagement in response monitoring. However, it was not accompanied by improved behavioral performance. The electrophysiological results of our study suggest that individuals high in religious fundamentalism engage more in monitoring for conflict between outcomes of their actions and standards of correct behavior. Our findings also point to a possible association between a fundamentalist mindset and higher levels of negative affect, uncertainty, anxiety, and distress, as measured by response-related brain activity.

Keywords: Error detection; Event-related potentials; Performance monitoring; Religious fundamentalism; Stop-signal task.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adult
  • Affect / physiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Reaction Time
  • Religion
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Uncertainty
  • Young Adult