We Are a Religious People; We Are a Vengeful People
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2005
Department
Psychology
Abstract
We evaluate the relation between religiousness and vengeance using multiple indicators of religiousness (religious orientation and church variables) and behavioral as well as self-reports of vengeance. Results from hierarchical regression analyses revealed that intrinsic religious orientation was negatively and extrinsic religious orientation positively related to self-reports of revenge but not to behavioral indicators of revenge. Only quest orientation was related to behavioral indicators of revenge with those higher on quest setting relatively lower levels of shock following a provocation and giving more money to an obnoxious confederate. Of the church variables, the number of religious activities was negatively and frequency of monetary donations positively related to self-reported vengeance. Only frequency of monetary donations, however, was uniquely related to one of the behavioral indicators of revenge, level of shock, with those who give more frequently also retaliating with higher levels of shock.
Publication Title
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Volume
44
Issue
1
First Page
45
Last Page
57
Recommended Citation
Greer, T. F.,
Berman, M. E.,
Varan, V.,
Bobrycki, L.,
Watson, S.
(2005). We Are a Religious People; We Are a Vengeful People. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 44(1), 45-57.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/2856