Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Correlates of Internalization of Regulations for Religious Activities |
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| Authors: | Bart Neyrinck Maarten Vansteenkiste Willy Lens Bart Duriez Dirk Hutsebaut |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;(2) Present address: Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000 Gent, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | The main goal of this study was to examine the relationship between different types of extrinsic motivation for religious
behaviors as conceptualised within self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) and Wulff's (1991) framework of literal versus symbolic approaches of religious contents. Results from a Belgian sample
of active believers (N=186) show that the internalization of one's reasons for performing religious behaviors was positively associated with an
open, symbolic interpretation of religious belief contents and a stronger adherence to Christian beliefs. Moreover, internalization
was also positively related to general well-being and frequency of prayer but unrelated to church attendance. It is concluded
that individuals who engage in religious behaviors because of its perceived personal significance will show more cognitive
flexibility and open-mindedness towards Christian belief contents, a stronger adherence to this message, higher well-being
and more frequent engagement in specific religious behaviors.
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| Keywords: | Religious internalization Self-determination theory Symbolic belief interpretation |
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