The Supernatural Search for Meaning 

Humans pursue meaning in many distinct ways. However, supernatural beliefs offer a particularly potent source of meaning because they suggest that there is more to existence than the material.

Though some people reject the idea of the supernatural, many people turn to supernatural concepts and beliefs in their search for meaning and to cope with situations that threaten meaning.

Interestingly, even people who reject conventional supernatural beliefs (e.g., atheists) are sometimes attracted to less traditional supernatural beliefs (e.g., paranormal beliefs)or supernatural-like beliefs (e.g., belief in powerful alien beings) when looking for meaning. See below for sample publications. 

Images by J Routledge

Select Publications:

Routledge, C., Abeyta, A. A., & Roylance, C. (in press). We are not alone: The meaning motive, religiosity, and belief in extraterrestrial intelligence. Motivation and Emotion. pdf

Routledge, C. Abeyta, A. & Roylance, C. (in press). An existential function of evil: The effects of religiosity and compromised meaning on belief in magical evil forces. Motivation and Emotion. 

Routledge, C., Abeyta, A. A., & Roylance, C.  (in press). Further exploring the relationship between religion and existential health: The effects of religiosity and trait differences in mentalizing on indicators of meaning in life. Journal of Religion and Health.

Routledge, C., Abeyta, A. A., & Roylance, C. (in press). Death and end times: The effects of mortality salience and religious fundamentalism on apocalyptic beliefs. Religion, Brain, & Behavior. 

Routledge, C., Roylance, C, & Abeyta, A. A. (in press). Miraculous meaning: Threatened meaning increases belief in miracles. Journal of Religion and Health.

Davis, W., Juhl, J., & Routledge, C. (2011). Death and design: The terror management function of teleological beliefs. Motivation and Emotion, 35, 98-104.