Religion’s effect on prejudice depends on how it fits personality

Evidence

To explain this paradox, Allport made a distinction between different ways of being religious – not between different religious beliefs but between different ways that religion can fit into the character or personality of the individual. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2528 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

In his view, prejudice inevitably, inescapably, and irrevocably alters the personality of its victims. This perspective predicts considerable cross-situational consistency in behavior. In contrast, most contemporary scholars adopt a more social-psychological, or situational, perspective. These scholars propose that stigma exposes its bearers to situational threats, i.e., situations where one’s membership in a particular stigmatized group could influence how one is treated and judged (see Steele, Spencer, & Aronson, 2002). No internalization of stigmatizing stereotypes is assumed to be necessary for prejudice to influence the person’s experience and behavior. Thus, quite different responses may be observed within the same individual as the context changes (Steele et al., 2002). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 937 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim
• XREF: connects to: Religiosity correlates with inclusive attitudes despite reinforcing its own boundaries — Andrew L. Whitehead; Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God, 372; Strong religious identification predicts derogation of out-group members rather than anti-prejudice conviction. — Deborah L. Hall and David C. Matz and Wendy Wood, Why Don’t We Practice What We Preach? A…, 11; Religion simultaneously enables both prosocial conduct and prejudice. — Annetta Snell and Miron Zuckerman and Bonnie M. Le, Does Religious Priming Induce Greater…, 2 (+16 more)

Broader Connections

• Allport explained religious prejudice through personality fit rather than doctrinal belief #corroborates (0.95) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2528
• Prejudice’s effect on targets is situation-dependent rather than personality-altering #complicates (0.72) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 937