What is the Value of Thoughts and Prayers?

As a geek, I am interested in more than just technology, and research is one of the things that I adore.

Although not tech related, I heard a podcast yesterday that had me looking up the original article because the subject as absolutely fascinating to me.

The value of thoughts and prayers by Linda Thunström and Shiri Noy, published in PNAS (The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) first published September 16, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1908268116

If you're not up on your scientific journals, PNAS is a prestigious journal with rigorous peer review.

I'll quote you the abstract here:

A standard response of both policy makers and private citizens to hardships—from natural disasters to mass shootings—is to offer “thoughts and prayers.” Critics argue that such gestures are meaningless and may obstruct structural reforms intended to mitigate catastrophes. In this study, we elicit the value of receiving thoughts and prayers from strangers following adversity. We find that Christians value thoughts and prayers from religious strangers and priests, while atheists and agnostics are “prayer averse”—willing to pay to avoid receiving prayers. Furthermore, while indifferent to receiving thoughts from other secular people, they negatively value thoughts from Christians.

The short of it is that individuals were given $5 to participate in the study. They could then pay to have a Christian stranger pray for them.

For more details, explained in English, I highly recommend the Planet Money podcast: How Much Are Thoughts And Prayers Worth? 

They interview Linda Thunström and she explains the study to them--and also talks about her current study that has not yet been published.

If you'd like some thought provoking material, I highly recommend this podcast episode, and--if you're up to it--reading the original article.

~Michelle