Psychology: Study reveals 4 beliefs that people of strong character have in common

psychology
4 beliefs that people of strong character have in common

is there a god Or 36? Do we owe the earth and life to a very creative creator? If so, was this creator perhaps a bit goofy or sleepy when he went to work? Is it a Sin to Eat Cordon Blue? Or is it one not to eat it? Questions upon questions that different people can sometimes answer very differently. Thankfully, what we believe in is up to us. However, with that comes responsibility. Because our faith obviously has a not inconsiderable influence on our lives and our personality. At least if we want to believe the results of a study by two scientists from the University of Zurich.

Study: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Beliefs

As part of their study, the psychologists Alexander Kahlmann and Willibald Ruch used data from around 1,100 adult test subjects to examine whether there was a connection between a person’s beliefs and their character. The psychologists distinguished three levels of basic, original beliefs, primary, secondary and tertiary. The primary level includes only one belief that is relatively abstract and general:

Subordinate to this is the secondary level, which contains somewhat more concrete beliefs and from which belief in a good or bad world is fed, for example:

The tertiary level includes even more concrete beliefs, such as that the world is fair (versus unfair), that it is stable (versus fragile), meaningful (versus random) and about 20 others. The beliefs of this level condition the beliefs of the two higher levels.

Positive beliefs correlate with strong character and resilience

Basically, when analyzing the data of their test subjects, the scientists found a significant connection between positive beliefs and the following personality traits, which have been proven to promote our resilience, authenticity and strength of character:

In particular, the primary and secondary level of beliefs seem to be relevant. This association leads researchers to suggest that what we fundamentally believe in can, to a large extent, shape our character and identity. Or that it can make sense to review your own beliefs and change them if necessary in order to go through life with more hope, more curiosity or more gratitude.

What do we get from this knowledge?

Now, at first glance, this may seem neither particularly surprising nor remarkable. Of course, it is easier for a person who believes in good to hope than for a person who assumes that the universe is evil. And those who find the world appealing will go through life more curiously and enthusiastically than someone who only suspects gloom around them. But this connection is not banal and unimportant.

If our beliefs really influence our personality, our feelings and our behavior to the extent that the study suggests, it may be worthwhile for some people to take a closer look at their own worldview and, if possible, to make it more positive. Finally, we can choose whether we want to believe in a good or bad world. On the other hand, it is not usually easy for us to decide to feel hope or gratitude in a certain moment or to be an enthusiastic person.

Presumably, no concrete set of beliefs can be identified with which all people will live happily and with strong character. Some people are better off with a slightly pessimistic view of the world, while others can and want to find beauty in every dog ​​poo. Believing in God gives some people strength, others find it frustrating or limiting. And that’s why it can be so valuable and important for us and our lives to think about our own beliefs – and to find out whether they are really our own.

Sources used: therapytips.org, psychologytoday.com, tandfonline.com: “Primal world beliefs correlate strongly but differentially with character strengths”

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Bridget