Religious restrictions often include prohibitions against certain sexual behaviors that are regarded as immoral or sinful. These restrictions can take many forms, from rules against premarital sex to laws against homosexuality.
Despite these restrictions, some people find themselves drawn to engage in such behavior due to their natural curiosities and desires. Psychologists have identified several factors that may play a role in enabling individuals to reconcile their erotic curiosity with their religious beliefs, including internalization, sublimation, and cognitive dissonance.
Internalization refers to the process by which an individual incorporates external values into their personal identity. When an individual internalizes a value system, they come to believe it is part of who they are rather than simply something they follow.
If someone believes that having premarital sex is wrong because their religion teaches them so, but they still experience sexual desire, they may feel conflicted between their internalized moral beliefs and their physical desires. By internalizing these beliefs, they can resolve this conflict by finding ways to sublimate their sexual urges.
Sublimation involves redirecting sexual energy towards activities other than physical pleasure. In religious settings, this might mean channeling one's sexual energy into spiritual practices or relationships, such as prayer, charitable work, or devotion to God. This redirects the focus away from physical intimacy and allows an individual to maintain their faith while satisfying their natural sexual drives.
Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual holds two conflicting beliefs or ideas at once.
Someone may hold both the belief that premarital sex is sinful and that they personally enjoy engaging in it. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that individuals will seek to reduce this tension by adjusting their attitudes or behaviors in order to bring them more closely together. This could involve rationalizing one's behavior (e.g., "I am not really committing a sin because I only have casual encounters") or changing one's beliefs (e.g., modifying religious doctrine to allow for premarital sex).
Reconciling erotic curiosity with religious restriction may require a combination of strategies. An individual may internalize their religious values while also seeking out opportunities for sublimation and/or cognitive dissonance reduction.
A person who enjoys masturbating may find themselves drawn to reading about religious figures who engaged in similar acts as a way of sublimating their desires.
Reconciliation requires finding a balance between one's physical urges and moral obligations.
What psychological mechanisms enable reconciliation of erotic curiosity with religious restriction?
The ability to reconcile erotic curiosity with religious restriction can be explained through cognitive dissonance theory, which suggests that individuals experience tension when they hold contradictory beliefs or values. When faced with this tension, people are motivated to reduce it by altering their attitudes or behaviors.