Conceptual Similarities Among Fantasy and Religious Orientations: A Developmental Perspective
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Abstract
Often in conservative religious populations, fantastical thoughts, interests, and beliefs are discouraged because fantastical beliefs are thought to contradict religious doctrine. However, beliefs in invisible, omnipotent entities such as God and Santa Claus likely rely on similar conceptual abilities that might complement rather than contradict religiosity. Therefore, the present study examined how one’s current and retrospective fantasy orientation together are associated with religious orientation. Data from a sample of 150 adults demonstrated that propensity toward fantasy predicted degree of religious orientation in adulthood, even after controlling for an individual’s openness to experience. Specifically, individuals who reported higher fantastical cognitions and behaviors (currently and retrospectively) reported higher religious orientations. These data are counter to cultural concerns that fantastical play and thinking in childhood might undermine or contradict religious doctrine. This finding has important implications for our understanding of how religiosity and fantasy are related conceptually, as well as how cultural practices may impact conceptual development.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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| Abstract Views | 1271 | 394 | 15 |
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Conceptual Similarities Among Fantasy and Religious Orientations: A Developmental Perspective
In: Journal of Cognition and CultureSearch for other papers by Rachel B. Thibodeau in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Melissa M. Brown in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Alexandra F. Nancarrow in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Karrie E. Elpers in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
The University of Alabama
Search for other papers by Ansley Tullos Gilpin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Often in conservative religious populations, fantastical thoughts, interests, and beliefs are discouraged because fantastical beliefs are thought to contradict religious doctrine. However, beliefs in invisible, omnipotent entities such as God and Santa Claus likely rely on similar conceptual abilities that might complement rather than contradict religiosity. Therefore, the present study examined how one’s current and retrospective fantasy orientation together are associated with religious orientation. Data from a sample of 150 adults demonstrated that propensity toward fantasy predicted degree of religious orientation in adulthood, even after controlling for an individual’s openness to experience. Specifically, individuals who reported higher fantastical cognitions and behaviors (currently and retrospectively) reported higher religious orientations. These data are counter to cultural concerns that fantastical play and thinking in childhood might undermine or contradict religious doctrine. This finding has important implications for our understanding of how religiosity and fantasy are related conceptually, as well as how cultural practices may impact conceptual development.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1271 | 394 | 15 |
| Full Text Views | 289 | 1 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 61 | 4 | 0 |