The Role of Social Factors in the Acquisition of Religious Beliefs

Abstract

This study utilizes qualitative interview and data analysis techniques to investigate how the social context and mode of transmission of religious concepts influence the process by which those concepts are accepted by individuals and intrapsychically transformed into beliefs. Five members of Christian church congregations in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania area were interviewed concerning their personal histories of religious belief. Findings largely support several existing theoretical models of the social and cognitive determinants of religious belief acquisition, but also suggest that it may be appropriate to accord greater salience to some particular aspects of those theories. Possible implications of this theoretical framework for cross-cultural interactions are also addressed.