Publication Date
6-1991
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Sam McFarland, Dorsey Grice, Sally Kuhlenschmidt
Degree Program
Department of Psychology
Degree Type
Master of Science
Abstract
One hundred and two fundamentalist Christians were administered scales measuring three religious orientations (intrinsic and extrinsic religion and religion-as-quest) and selective exposure. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the three orientations and selective exposure to religious information. Selective exposure was measured in three ways: Belief confirmation - seeking belief-supporting information; Selective avoidance - avoiding belief-contradicting information; and Differential exposure - seeking belief-confirming information while avoiding contradicting information. Results of this study indicate that both quest and intrinsic religion predict the desire to read belief-confirming information. For selective avoidance, only quest predicted willingness to read counter-attitudinal information, thus supporting Batson's contention that religion-as-quest uniquely predicts open-minded truthseeking and willingness to doubt. Differential exposure was primarily predicted by extrinsic religion.
Disciplines
Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Warren, James Jr., "The Effects of Religious Orientation on Selective Exposure to Information Which Supports or Contradicts One's Beliefs" (1991). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 2956.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2956