Date of Award:
12-2008
Document Type:
Thesis
Department:
Psychology
Advisor/Chair:
Gretchen Gimpel Peacock
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.
Recommended Citation
Kirby, Matthew, "The Impact of Religious Schema on Critical Thinking Skills" (2008). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. Paper 10.
http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/10
Copyright for this work is retained by the student.