Date of Award:
12-2008
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Department:
Psychology
Committee Chair(s)
Gretchen Gimpel Peacock
Committee
Gretchen Gimpel Peacock
Committee
Scott Bates
Committee
Norman Jones
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between critical thinking and religious schema as represented by religious orientation. Past research has included religious belief within the larger construct of paranormal belief, and demonstrated a correlation between high levels of paranormal belief and poor critical thinking skills. Studies in the psychology of religion suggested that a more complex religious measure based on religious orientation was necessary to understand these correlations. Additionally, schema theory offered a cognitive framework within which to experimentally test the cause of these correlations. This study found that primed religious schema did not account for the relationship between paranormal/religious belief and critical thinking skills. This study did find that poor critical thinking performance was predicted by higher levels of extrinsic religious orientation.
Checksum
b406d0dffd7cc5f6c5761048d1e72542
Recommended Citation
Kirby, Matthew, "The Impact of Religious Schema on Critical Thinking Skills" (2008). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 10.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/10
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