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Meta-analyzing intelligence and religiosity associations: Evidence from the multiverse
Florian Dürlinger1, Jakob Pietschnig1
1Faculty of Psychology, Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Plos One
|February 11, 2022
Summary
A meta-analysis of 89 studies reveals a consistent, albeit small, negative link between intelligence and religiosity. This association, where higher intelligence correlates with lower religiosity, holds across various factors, though its strength varies.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Sociology of Religion
Background:
- A century of research suggests a negative correlation between intelligence and religiosity.
- Previous studies show inconsistent effect sizes, prompting investigation into moderating variables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update meta-analytical investigations on the intelligence-religiosity relationship.
- To examine the influence of moderating variables on the strength of this association.
Main Methods:
- Conducted random-effects meta-analysis on 89 studies (105 independent samples, N=201,457).
- Employed combinatorial, multiverse, and specification curve analyses to ensure robustness.
- Investigated moderators including assessment methods, sample type, and participant sex.
Main Results:
- A small but robust negative association between intelligence and religiosity was found (r = -.14).
- The negative association was stronger when using psychometric intelligence tests compared to proxy measures.
- Effects were more pronounced in general population and college samples than in pre-college samples.
Conclusions:
- Intelligence and religiosity exhibit a small, consistent negative association.
- The strength of this association is influenced by measurement methods and sample characteristics.
- The direction of the negative association remains consistent across various moderating factors.
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