An Examination of the Effects of Religious Orientation on Personality (Part 1)

Ok so I wrote this really good research paper that expands on the ideas I presented in an earlier paper which is posted here and titled A Critque of Allport's Mature Religion. For ease of reading I am breaking the paper into multiple sections so the rest will be coming.

If you want more please comment and tell me how ethusiatic you are about getting the rest of this very interesting paper!


An Examination of the Effects of Religious Orientation on Personality:
Fostering Intrinsic Religious Orientation in Early Childhood Development

Abstract

The field of Religion and Psychology has existed for quite some time, however it has only been within the last 50 or so years that any empirical research has been accomplished. There have been many scales developed to identify the differing religious orientations an individual can subscribe to. These scales have recently been correlated with personality tests and the results provide an interesting perspective on the correlating nature of religion and psychology. This information can be used to describe and predict either an individual’s personality or religious orientation when certain factors are known. This knowledge can be very beneficial if a causal relationship can be established between religious orientation and specific personality traits. This relationship could allow for improvements in the psychological development of children as well as the implications this would provide for improving many social aspects of societal interactions.

Introduction

It is the intention of this paper to demonstrate a correlation between specific personality traits and religious orientation, as well as suggest a causal relationship between religious orientation and specific negative personality traits which can be utilized to counteract the development of these traits. The results will support a recommendation for the exclusion of quest religious orientation, as the characteristics commonly associated with it are better suited for inclusion between the intrinsic and extrinsic orientations. This paper will also recommend the fostering of intrinsic religious orientation in early childhood development as a method of decreasing the negative personality traits associated with the extrinsic religious orientation.

There are specific personality traits that tend to correlate with religious orientation. Those with extrinsic religious orientations will demonstrate higher levels of prejudice and personality traits that are commonly held to be undesirable and in contrast to the religious orientation professed. Those demonstrating an intrinsic religious orientation will be less likely to maintain prejudice and experience guilt and anxiety symptoms at a lower rate, holding the personality traits deemed desirable by society. Those of a quest religious orientation will fall into a middle ground, in which their beliefs are internalized to an extent, however they are characterized by a continued search for answers and the ability to change their beliefs frequently. They will have personality traits that fall into the middle ground between those of the extrinsic and intrinsic orientation, being more desirable than, while not the ideal traits, desired for stability by society. Quest orientation is relatively new to the field of religion and psychology and perhaps unnecessary.

Method

This paper presents a comprehensive examination of past and recent research on the subject of religious orientation and personality. The research was divided into three categories for ease of analysis and explanation. First, the history of the field and the development of scales of religiosity utilized, second, the correlations between religious orientation and personality, and finally, the development of spirituality in youth. After the examination, suggestions for the elimination of quest as a category of religious orientation, the causal effects of religious orientation on personality and the positive effects of fostering an intrinsic orientation in early development will be provided.