A series of studies has revealed that people when placed in positions that provoke anxiety are more likely to indulge into religious radicalism. When anxious people would invariably say yes to questions such as whether they give their life for faith or if they would go on war for its defense.

The studies were conducted on people by asking these questions when they had some sort of anxiety provoking situation in life. These situations could be different mathematical troubles, thinking about the problems in a relationship or worrying about the problems in one’s life. It was found that people who were faced with such situations were very anxious to do something, when they were provoked.

This is especially true when it came to religion and it was seen that these people were very extreme in their religious outlook and were very passionate as well as confidant about their faith. On the other people who weren’t faced with such situations were less passionate about their faith.

It has also been found that people who already had some issues and were susceptible to anxiety, had very strong religious conviction. This holds true for those who struggle to achieve their daily goals in life and aren’t very optimistic about it.

According to scientists the reason for such behavior is a psychological phenomenon called ‘Reactive Approach Motivation’. Even before these reports, there had been suggestion that there is a strong connection between a person’s religious outlook and lower level of brain activity that manages anxiety.