The power of charisma--perceived charisma inhibits the frontal executive network of believers in intercessory prayer.
Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci
; 6(1): 119-27, 2011 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20228138
ABSTRACT
This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how assumptions about speakers' abilities changed the evoked BOLD response in secular and Christian participants who received intercessory prayer. We find that recipients' assumptions about senders' charismatic abilities have important effects on their executive network. Most notably, the Christian participants deactivated the frontal network consisting of the medial and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally in response to speakers who they believed had healing abilities. An independent analysis across subjects revealed that this deactivation predicted the Christian participants' subsequent ratings of the speakers' charisma and experience of God's presence during prayer. These observations point to an important mechanism of authority that may facilitate charismatic influence, a mechanism which is likely to be present in other interpersonal interactions as well.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Religion
/
Brain Mapping
/
Character
/
Culture
/
Executive Function
/
Frontal Lobe
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adult
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Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: