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Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science -     

Toward a task-centered christianity

The concepts of task-centered (intrinsic) and self-centered (extrinsic) religion have been found useful in a psychological understanding of Christianity. The task-centered dimension is related to a healthy, mature religion, and the self-centered dimension is related to much that has been found to be unhealthy about religion. Theologically the former concept implies a turning to God and His work and away from self. Implications are discussed in terms of the pastor as a model of a task-centered and not a self-centered Christian. In the pastor's role of promoting task-centered religion, special attention is given to worship and to implications for ministering to people's hurts and troubles.     

Motivation-Hygiene Aspects of Vocational Indecision and College Achievement

Subjective and objective scales designed to assess Herzberg and Hamlin's (1961) motivation and hygiene constructs were given to 133 male university freshmen. On the basis of ACT scores and responses to a university admission form, they were classified into groups having no vocational preferences (NP), non-realistic preferences (NRP), and realistic preferences (RP). NRP and RP groups were more motivation oriented than NP group, and on one scale NRP group was more hygiene oriented than RP group. A group of 34 male clients was more motivation oriented than NP group. With ACT scores partialled out, grade-point average was correlated positively with endorsement of certain “motivator” job incentives and negatively with endorsement of some “hygiene” incentives. The findings and theory are suggested as relevant to vocational and educational counseling.     

A developmental perspective on religious orientation dimensions

L.B. Brown's model of religious faith posits two bipolar religious orientations (intrinsic-extrinsic and autonomy-observance) that represent a two-dimensional space in which a religious believer can be located. This paper proposes a developmental sequence within Brown's model. The psychometric tradition of religious orientations is combined with a developmental tradition. The developmental process is consistent with models by A. Maslow, L. Kohlberg, J. Fowler, and J. Loevinger. Religious faith typically springs from extrinsic motivations. Most religious adherents achieve the next level, observance, or identification with a religious community and its creeds. Some progress to intrinsic religiousness, and fewer attain religious autonomy.