Throughout human history, belief systems have played a central role in helping individuals make sense of their lives and cope with adversity. Phenomena such as religions, astrology, superstitions, totems, and fortune-telling may appear in different forms across cultures, yet they all share a common function: providing a sense of security and hope in the face of uncertainty. While such belief systems may at times lead individuals into rigid dependence, when practiced in moderation and with awareness, they can enhance psychological resilience.
The Psychological Function of Belief
Carl Gustav Jung, through his concept of the collective unconscious, emphasized humanity’s connection with archetypes and treated religion and spirituality as integral to psychological integration. According to Jung, symbols and myths are not merely cultural elements, but structures that safeguard an individual’s psychic balance. In this sense, various belief systems can serve as a symbolic language that helps individuals cope with uncertainty.
Research has also demonstrated that belief is a significant factor in psychological resilience. Bonelli and Koenig (2013) found that religion and spirituality provide hope and strength, particularly in the face of stressful, traumatic, and adverse life events. Individuals often interpret difficulties through explanations such as “It is part of destiny,” enabling them to find meaning in hardship and continue their lives with greater strength.
Religious beliefs frequently serve to alleviate grief symptoms in bereaved individuals. By fostering hope for the future, such beliefs may provide psychological resilience (Wortmann & Park, 2009). Furthermore, for those whose trust in worldly justice systems has been shaken, belief in the existence of postmortem justice, such as concepts of heaven and hell, helps restore a sense of justice. From a historical perspective, religion, through these functions, has supported social cohesion and contributed to the organization of communities around shared systems of value.
Belief, Morality, and the Superego
The sin–virtue systems embedded within religions also function as strong mechanisms to deter individuals from certain behaviors. For example, acts such as committing a crime or suicide become not only socially but also spiritually dissuasive due to their worldly and otherworldly consequences (Briscoe & Kinghorn, 2016). Viewed through Freud’s theory, this mechanism operates via the activation of the superego. The superego is composed of rigid moral rules, often acquired from family or other authority figures, and dictates what is considered right or wrong. Thus, the moral framework provided by religious authorities is internalized through the superego and grants the individual an inner system of regulation.
Crystals, Placebo, and Self-Fulfilling Beliefs
Beliefs surrounding crystals also operate within a similar psychological dynamic. These crystals are presented with various promises: rose quartz is said to attract love, while citrine is believed to enhance abundance and prosperity. But is this truly the case? In fact, placebo effects, self-fulfilling prophecies, and selective perception concepts play a crucial role in this condition.
In other words, when we use these crystals, we are in effect activating our belief system, which then directs us toward behavioral changes aligned with the outcomes we desire. Believing that a crystal will attract love may lead us to be more open to potential partners; carrying a crystal for health might encourage us to choose a healthier meal that day. Over time, these small behavioral adjustments accumulate and yield results shaped by our belief system. Thus, it is not the rose quartz itself that brings love into our lives, but rather the behaviors we adopt in believing in it.
Belief and Anxiety About the Future
Anxiety about the future is one of the most prevalent psychological challenges in modern societies. Uncontrollable uncertainty often generates intense stress. At this point, practices such as fortune-telling, astrology, or superstitions come into play. Studies have shown that individuals with lower tolerance for uncertainty are more inclined toward such belief systems (Lindeman & Aarnio, 2007).
When a person cannot foresee the future, tools like horoscopes or divinations provide a sense of security. This reduces anxiety by creating an illusion of control. For instance, a highly anxious individual may consult a fortune-teller, and the scenario provided may alleviate their feelings of uncertainty regardless of its factual accuracy. Thus, the primary function here lies less in the accuracy of predictions and more in meeting the individual’s psychological needs.
The Dual Face of Belief: Protective or Restrictive?
While belief systems can enhance psychological resilience, it is equally important to recognize that excessive adherence can become restrictive or even harmful. For example, neglecting realistic responsibilities under the guise of religious devotion or allowing superstitions to irrationally dictate everyday decisions may hinder personal growth. Therefore, the function of belief becomes a protective factor when it is employed as a supportive tool rather than a dominating force.
Belief as a Source of Hope and Resilience
Positive psychology research highlights hope and meaning-making as fundamental components of mental health. Religious and spiritual beliefs often provide individuals with a sense of meaning, which in turn acts as a protective factor that strengthens psychological resilience.
Ultimately, belief systems instill hope and trust in the future, thereby enhancing resilience. As Jung emphasized, symbols and rituals act as structures that preserve the individual’s psychic wholeness. Nevertheless, beliefs should not evolve into rigid dependencies that restrict life. When experienced in moderation and with awareness, belief becomes a powerful tool that supports mental well-being. Humanity, while alleviating its anxieties about the future, has long drawn upon these systems of belief as sources of hope, enabling it to remain resilient.
References
Bonelli, R. M., & Koenig, H. G. (2013). Mental Disorders, Religion and Spirituality 1990 to 2010: A Systematic Evidence-Based Review. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(2), 657–673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9691-4
Briscoe, J., & Kinghorn, W. (2016). Spirituality, religion, and rational suicide. In Springer eBooks (pp. 187–202). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32672-6_13
Lindeman, M., & Aarnio, K. (2006). Superstitious, magical, and paranormal beliefs: An integrative model. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(4), 731–744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.06.009
Wortmann, J. H., & Park, C. L. (2009). Religion/Spirituality and Change in Meaning after Bereavement: Qualitative Evidence for the Meaning Making Model. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14(1), 17–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325020802173876