Religion as Prosocial: Agent or Double Agent?
Does religion promote prosocial behavior? A verdict is not clear. Methodological and theoretical weaknesses in recent studies correlating religious orientation with social values (e.g., prejudice) led to the proposal of a new three dimensional model of religiosity. Religion as a Quest was considered...
| Published in: | Journal for the scientific study of religion |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
[1976]
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| In: |
Journal for the scientific study of religion
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| Further subjects: | B
Parables
B Religious prejudice B Questionnaires B Social Psychology B Religiosity B Orthodoxy B Three dimensional modeling |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | Does religion promote prosocial behavior? A verdict is not clear. Methodological and theoretical weaknesses in recent studies correlating religious orientation with social values (e.g., prejudice) led to the proposal of a new three dimensional model of religiosity. Religion as a Quest was considered along with the well known Means and End orientations (cf. Allport's extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity). These three dimensions were operationalized by use of complete-estimation factor scores on three factors derived from six religious orientation scales. Convergent and discriminant validity of the scales and factors were examined using both seminarian and undergraduate samples. Finding satisfactory validity, the three dimensional model was employed in three studies concerning the relationship of religious orientation and prosocial behavior. Study 1 suggested that the frequently reported link between intrinsic (End) religion and less prejudicial questionnaire responses could be an artifact of social desirability. Studies 2 and 3 concerned helping behavior. In both, the Quest orientation was found to relate to more tentative, situationally responsive helping. The End orientation related to more persistent helping that was less attuned to the expressed needs of the person seeking aid. |
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| ISSN: | 1468-5906 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the scientific study of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/1384312 |