Intrinsic religion robustly predicts lower prejudice across 32 studies of religious activity

Evidence

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. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2539

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. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2539

Categorization

• XREF: Multiple independently-conceived measures (questionnaire vs. behavioral frequency) converging on the same Allport finding parallels the contact theory measurement concerns in the vault’s prejudice-psychology claims. — connects to: Personal religious practice and Christian nationalism predict opposite political attitudes — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 458; Religiosity correlates with inclusive attitudes despite reinforcing its own boundaries — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 372; Neither intrinsic nor social religion predicts measured implicit racial bias — Wade C. Rowatt and Lewis M. Franklin, Christian Orthodoxy, Religious…, 73 (+2 more)
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2539