RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND VIOLENCE: THE ROLE OF IMPLICIT THEORIES

1
RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE AND VIOLENCE THE ROLE OF
IMPLICIT THEORIES
Ian HansenDepartment of Psychology, University
of British Columbia
Study 2
Introduction
Abstract
Incremental theory of moral characterthe belief
that a persons moral character can be radically
changedhas been repeatedly found to negatively
predict stereotyping and prejudice (Hong et al,
2003). Religious variables, in contrast, have
often predicted prejudice and intolerance
(Altemeyer, 1996). Yet religious devotion may
rest on the hope that a deity or esoteric
practice can change ones moral character. Are
the religious thus more incremental? Is
incremental theory of moral character a potential
source of tolerance in religious devotion?
Incremental theory predicts civil
tolerance. Coalitional religiosity predicts civil
intolerance.
In two studies, an incremental theory of moral
character negatively predicted religious
intolerance while coalitional religiosity
positively predicted intolerance. Devotional
religiosity was strongly positively related both
to incremental theory and to coalitional
religiosity. These studies illustrate how
religion has potentially two opposite faces
when it comes to religious intolerance an
incremental tolerant face and a coalitional
intolerant face.
Study 2 only included intrinsic religiosity as a
devotional measure, fundamentalism and
exclusivity as coalitional measures, and civil
intolerance as an intolerance measure.
What makes up religious devotion?
Study 1
Summary of the constructs
In both studies, incremental theory and
coalitional religiosity are strongly correlated
with devotional religiosity, and independently
predict it.

• Two studies were conducted measuring the
  following constructs
• Incremental theory of moral character (moral
  character can change)
• Incremental theory of the social world (the
  social world can change)
• Devotional religiosity (devotion to God/The
  Divine/ones faith)
• Coalitional religiosity (authoritarianism,
  fundamentalism, dogmatism, exclusivity)
• Religious intolerance
• Religious antipathy (disliking members of other
  religions, expecting them to go to hell)
• Civil intolerance (opposing civil rights for
  religious others, e.g. the right to teach in
  public schools)
• Aggressive antipathy (feeling joy at the
  hypothetical killing of religious others)
• Religious violence (endorsing the killing of the
  wicked)
• Study 1 included more measures than Study 2, but
  both included the five general constructs. There
  were 194 and 114 participants in Studies 1 and 2
  respectively.

Factor analysis Factor 1 reflects both forms of
religiosity, and also religious intolerance.
Factor 2 reflects incremental theory, devotional
religiosity, and religious tolerance
Conclusion
Devotional religiosity, or the Divine-oriented
aspect of religion, is bound not only to violence
and intolerance-predicting variables, but also to
peace and tolerance-predicting ones. The
resurgence of religion is bringing more than just
war and terrorism. Cheer up.
Incremental theory predicts tolerance

References
Devotional religiosity predicts tolerance
Altemeyer, R.A. (1996). The authoritarian
specter. Cambridge, MA Harvard University
Press. Hong, Y., Coleman, J., Chan, G., Wong,
R., Chiu, C. Y., Hansen, I., Lee, S., Tong, Y.,
Fu, H. Predicting intergroup bias the
interactive effects of implicit theory and social
identity. Personality Social Psychology
Bulletin, 30, 1035-1047.
Coalitional religiosity predicts intolerance