Religion and Prejudice: The Role of Religious Fundamentalism, Quest, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism

Bruce Hunsberger,

Corresponding Author

Bruce Hunsberger

Wilfrid Laurier University

BRUCE HUNSBERGER earned his Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of Manitoba. He is a professor of psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. His research interests have focused on the psychology of religion, especially issues of religious socialization and attitudes, religious doubt, and religious orientation, authoritarianism, and prejudice. Other research interests include life transitions and integrative complexity of thought.

Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5. Electronic mail may be sent via Internet to [email protected].Search for more papers by this author

Bruce Hunsberger,

Corresponding Author

Bruce Hunsberger

Wilfrid Laurier University

Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5. Electronic mail may be sent via Internet to [email protected].Search for more papers by this author

First published: Summer 1995

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01326.x

Citations: 147

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Abstract

Does religion contribute to, or inhibit, prejudice? Although major world religions espouse tolerance and love toward others, empirical evidence provides little support for the effectiveness of such religious teachings, and a considerable body of research suggests that, at a general (and simplistic) level, religion and prejudice are positively correlated. Suggestions that this relationship is actually curvilinear and possibly a result of differences in intrinsic I extrinsic religious orientation are questioned. Recent investigations suggest that conceptualizations of religious fundamentalism and quest offer better ways of distinguishing between more and less prejudiced individuals. Further, the fundamentalism and quest relationships with prejudice are especially meaningful in light of an association with right-wing authoritarianism. Limitations and implications of the related research are discussed. In the end, it would seem that it is not religion per se, but rather the ways in which individuals hold their religious beliefs, which are associated with prejudice.

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Volume51, Issue2

Summer 1995

Pages 113-129

Religion and Prejudice: The Role of Religious Fundamentalism, Quest, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism

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Religion and Prejudice: The Role of Religious Fundamentalism, Quest, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism

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