Nonreligious Group Factors Versus Religious Belief in Predicting Prosociality

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Psychology, Spanish

Mentor Information

Luke Galen

Department

Psychology

Location

Kirkhof Center KC46

Start Date

10-4-2013 12:00 PM

End Date

10-4-2013 1:00 PM

Keywords

Religion, Social Science

Abstract

Previous research suggests that religious belief is associated prosocial behavior. However, studies have often used measures of belief without separating general group participation or compared group with non-group members. Another major consideration pertains to the group identity of the target of the behavior. Finally, studies of prosociality frequently do not control for demographic and social characteristics. The present study compares members of secular (n=365) and church groups (n=298) located around a major metropolitan area in a southern U.S. state on measures of both in- and outgroup-related prosocial attitudes and behaviors, controlling for these confounding variables. Initial comparison indicated numerous differences between church and secular group members. However, multiple regression controls diminished many of the apparent differences on prosocial outcomes. Religiosity also predicted parochial rather than universal prosocial behaviors.

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Apr 10th, 12:00 PM Apr 10th, 1:00 PM

Nonreligious Group Factors Versus Religious Belief in Predicting Prosociality

Kirkhof Center KC46

Previous research suggests that religious belief is associated prosocial behavior. However, studies have often used measures of belief without separating general group participation or compared group with non-group members. Another major consideration pertains to the group identity of the target of the behavior. Finally, studies of prosociality frequently do not control for demographic and social characteristics. The present study compares members of secular (n=365) and church groups (n=298) located around a major metropolitan area in a southern U.S. state on measures of both in- and outgroup-related prosocial attitudes and behaviors, controlling for these confounding variables. Initial comparison indicated numerous differences between church and secular group members. However, multiple regression controls diminished many of the apparent differences on prosocial outcomes. Religiosity also predicted parochial rather than universal prosocial behaviors.