Full metadata
Title
From beliefs to virtuous behaviors
Description
People may conceptualize God as benevolent and as authoritarian. This research investigates the influence of these God-concepts on prosocial behavior; specifically whether such concepts differentially predict a set of beliefs about the self and the world, volunteer motivations, and intentions to volunteer for secular causes. Two studies, one correlation and one experimental, were conducted among college students who were Christians and indicated they believe that God exists. A measurement model of the concepts of Benevolent and Authoritarian God was first tested, and a conceptual path model was then analyzed. I found that concepts of a benevolent God were associated with a benevolent self-identity, perceived moral and religious obligations to help, and a high sense of personal responsibility with a total positive indirect effect on intentions to volunteer - mainly via internal motivations. In contrast, concepts of an authoritarian God were associated with a perceived religious obligation, having a positive indirect effect on intentions to volunteer via external motivations; but also with a low benevolent self-identity and low personal responsibility associated with amotivation (the disinclination to volunteer). Thus, there was a null total indirect effect of belief in an authoritarian God on intentions to volunteer. Future directions including the use of religious primes are discussed.
Date Created
2012
Contributors
- Johnson, Kathryn, Ph.D (Author)
- Cohen, Adam B. (Thesis advisor)
- Okun, Morris A. (Thesis advisor)
- Neuberg, Steven L. (Committee member)
- Kwan, Sau V.S. (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
xi, 158 p. : ill
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.15070
Statement of Responsibility
by Kathryn Johnson
Description Source
Viewed on Sept. 24, 2013
Level of coding
full
Note
thesis
Partial requirement for: Ph. D., Arizona State University, 2012
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 134-146)
Field of study: Psychology
System Created
- 2012-08-24 06:29:01
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:45:47
- 3 years 2 months ago
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