Chicago, IL, USA. The depth of belief in God differs vastly among nations, but there is one constant — belief is higher among older people, regardless of where they live.

International surveys show that national differences range from 94 percent of people in the Philippines (who said they always believed in God), compared to only 13 percent in the former East Germany.

Columbia, MO, USA. Conscious or not, mortality awareness helps us re-prioritize goals and values, promote helping others, and improve physical health, says a new study.

An analysis in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Review (PSPR) argues that thinking about death can actually be a good thing. Even non-conscious thinking about death — say walking by a cemetery — could prompt positive changes and promote helping others.

Cleveland, OH, USA. For those people with some belief in God, but question God's actions — or inactions, is it appropriate to lodge a protest? A team of psychologists decided to examine the question.

Many people report having a relationship with God, similar to those relationships in marriage, parenting or friendship. Findings suggest that being assertive with God could actually strengthen that perceived bond and one's faith.

Waco, TX, USA. Although high levels of narcissism can impair ethical judgment regardless of one's religious orientation or orthodox beliefs, narcissism is even more harmful in those who might be expected to be more ethical.

This observation is from a study from Baylor University published in the Journal of Business Ethics.

Washington, DC, USA. Why do some people behave morally while others do not? For decades, sociologists have posited that individual behavior results from cultural expectations about how to act in specific situations.

However, two sociologists stress the importance of an additional motivator of behavior: how individuals see themselves in moral terms.