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Beyond beliefs: religions bind individuals into moral communities
1University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA. jgraham@virginia.edu
Summary
This study re-examines religiosity, moving beyond individual beliefs to understand its social functions. It explores how religion fosters moral communities and explains phenomena like increased happiness and charity among religious individuals.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Sociology of Religion
Background:
- Traditional social psychology often views religiosity as individual beliefs.
- Religiosity is a complex, multidimensional construct requiring a broader perspective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a relentlessly social approach to studying religion in social psychology.
- To propose a social-functionalist framework for understanding religious beliefs and practices.
- To explain key aspects of religiosity through a social-functionalist lens.
Main Methods:
- Adopting a social-functionalist theoretical perspective.
- Analyzing the relationship between religion and five moral foundations (Ingroup/loyalty, Authority/respect, Purity/sanctity).
- Applying the theoretical framework to explain empirical observations about religiosity.
Main Results:
- Religious practices and beliefs serve to create cohesive moral communities.
- Religion is strongly linked to group-focused moral foundations.
- The social-functionalist approach effectively addresses the 'mysteries' of religiosity.
Conclusions:
- A social-functionalist approach is crucial for advancing the study of religion in social psychology.
- Religion's role in building moral communities explains its impact on individual well-being and behavior.
- Understanding religion as a social phenomenon is key to explaining its prevalence and effects.
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