Allport measured extrinsic versus intrinsic religion through distinct questionnaire items.

Evidence

Empirically, Allport and his students developed self-report questionnaire measures of both the extrinsic and intrinsic orientations to religion. The 11 items on the Extrinsic scale included, for example: “Although I believe in my religion, I feel there are many more important things in my life.” “The church is most important as a place to formulate good social relationships.” “What religion offers me most is comfort when sorrows and misfortune strike.” The 9 items on the Intrinsic scale included, for example: “I try hard to carry my religion over into all my other dealings in life.” “If I were to join a church group I would prefer to join a Bible study group rather than a social fellowship.” “My religious beliefs are what really lie behind my whole approach to life.” (For a full list of the items on each scale, see Batson et al., 1993, p. 162.) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2536

Categorization

• DEFINE: The item examples concretely define what extrinsic vs intrinsic religious orientation actually look like in behavioral terms.