Open AccessBelief in the miracles of Lourdes: A voxel‐based morphometry study
Author(s) -
Schienle Anne,
Höfler Carina,
Wabnegger Albert
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.1481
Subject(s) - temporoparietal junction , psychology , theory of mind , prefrontal cortex , social connectedness , voxel based morphometry , mentalization , pilgrimage , social psychology , developmental psychology , cognition , neuroscience , theology , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , white matter , radiology , philosophy
Background It has been shown that particular religious beliefs and practices are associated with brain function and structure. The present voxel‐based morphometry study investigated the correlation between the belief in the miracles of Lourdes (a major Catholic pilgrimage site) and gray matter volume in specific brain regions associated with theory of mind (ToM). Method Structural brain data from 84 women (mean age: 25 years; no current somatic illness; 80% Roman‐Catholic) were correlated with self‐report measures on belief in miracles, religious–spiritual well‐being, and psychological problems. Selected brain regions of the ToM network included the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Results The belief in the miracles of Lourdes was positively correlated with general religiousness and with feelings of connectedness; there was no association with psychological problems. Belief in miracles of Lourdes correlated positively with TPJ volume and negatively with MPFC volume. Conclusion Belief in the miracles was associated with brain volume in regions involved in mentalizing and self‐control.