Intrinsic religion reduces prejudice while extrinsic religion increases it across 32 studies.
Evidence
Empirical research using one or both of these two ways of operationalizing the extrinsic versus intrinsic distinction has strongly supported Allport’s claim that extrinsic religion is associated with increased prejudice, whereas intrinsic religion is associated with reduced prejudice. Batson et al. (1993) reviewed 41 findings obtained across 32 different studies between 1949 and 1990 of individuals from Christian backgrounds (mostly US samples). About one-third of these studies used some form of questionnaire or interview data to make the distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic religion. In each, those who were classified as intrinsic scored lower on prejudice than those classified as extrinsic. Two-thirds of the studies used level of religious activity to make the distinction. Again, in the overwhelming majority those who were highly involved in religious activities scored lower on prejudice than those who were only moderately involved. Across these 32 studies, prejudice of several types was assessed: racial and ethnic prejudice, anti-Semitism, social distance, and ethnocentrism. Extrinsic religion (or moderate religious activity) was associated with higher prejudice on all forms, whereas intrinsic religion (or high religious activity) was associated with relatively low prejudice. It is hard to imagine stronger support for Allport’s claims. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2539
Categorization
- XREF: Connects to Allport’s original hypotheses in earlier chapters of this same book establishing the intrinsic/extrinsic distinction. — connects to: Religion simultaneously enables both prosocial conduct and prejudice. — Annetta Snell and Miron Zuckerman and Bonnie M. Le, Does Religious Priming Induce Greater…, 2
- QUESTION: Given the later Allportian critique that intrinsic religion correlates with other ‘right-wing’ authoritarianism variables, does this finding hold when controlling for them?