End of the year is a very special time as Holiday lights melt away our inner Grinch and we start to believe in miracles and new beginnings.
Belief is not a religious phenomenon. It is our way of coping with the future and finding existential meaning. Scientific studies show that belief in miracles contributes to greater life satisfaction. Although thinking that health problems can be solved by miraculous interventions, quite prevalent in the US population, can be dangerous. Among other things, it does not encourage good health behaviors.
Belief is not a religious phenomenon. It is our way of coping with the future and finding existential meaning. Scientific studies show that belief in miracles contributes to greater life satisfaction. Although thinking that health problems can be solved by miraculous interventions, quite prevalent in the US population, can be dangerous. Among other things, it does not encourage good health behaviors.
Belief in science and technological progress can make people satisfied with their lives as much or even more than belief in miracles that science can't explain. The stronger the sense of personal control, the higher satisfaction with life. Individuals with a heightened internal locus of control with regard to health have been found to have better outcomes from treatment for many medical conditions.
Science has brought many miracles to medicine. It would never have happened if curious people had not paid close attention to the world and believed in making dreams come true.
Science has brought many miracles to medicine. It would never have happened if curious people had not paid close attention to the world and believed in making dreams come true.
Why is it that some individuals dare to start new ambitious projects on their own while others do not?
Research indicates that the main motivation in starting new ventures is confidence in one's abilities to perform relevant tasks - that is, believing in yourself. Self-confidence and even a sense of self-importance are even more important factors than outcome expectancies.
And as the old year vanishes away, perhaps we should start 2017 with believing in ourselves, in the good things in life and in the possibility of being... pleasantly surprised. You're gonna make it after all!
Research indicates that the main motivation in starting new ventures is confidence in one's abilities to perform relevant tasks - that is, believing in yourself. Self-confidence and even a sense of self-importance are even more important factors than outcome expectancies.
And as the old year vanishes away, perhaps we should start 2017 with believing in ourselves, in the good things in life and in the possibility of being... pleasantly surprised. You're gonna make it after all!
REFERENCES
Hayward RD, Krause N, Ironson G, & Pargament KI (2016). Externalizing religious health beliefs and health and well-being outcomes. Journal of behavioral medicine, 39 (5), 887-95 PMID: 27372713
Garraway LA (2016). Believe the miracles: of biomedical science and human suffering. The Journal of clinical investigation, 126 (12), 4716-4722 PMID: 27906693
Townsend, D., Busenitz, L., & Arthurs, J. (2010). To start or not to start: Outcome and ability expectations in the decision to start a new venture Journal of Business Venturing, 25 (2), 192-202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2008.05.003
Stavrova, O., Ehlebracht, D., & Fetchenhauer, D. (2016). Belief in scientific–technological progress and life satisfaction: The role of personal control. Personality and Individual Differences, 96, 227-236.
Huang, L., Krasikova, D. V., & Liu, D. (2016). I can do it, so can you: The role of leader creative self-efficacy in facilitating follower creativity. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 132, 49-62.
Huang, L., Krasikova, D. V., & Liu, D. (2016). I can do it, so can you: The role of leader creative self-efficacy in facilitating follower creativity. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 132, 49-62.
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