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THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS: A PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION OF IDOLATRY

Lynn, Quinten K.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1131326696

Abstract Details

2005, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Clinical.
Although psychologists have studied a wide range of religious experiences, practices, and beliefs, a question of considerable importance to most religious traditions has been neglected; this is the question of idolatry. The goals of this study were to 1) define idolatry as a psycho-spiritual construct, 2) develop a reliable and valid measure of idolatry, and 3) examine the implications of idolatry for a variety of psychological and spiritual criteria. Idolatry was defined and the Idolatry Index was created to measure this construct. Based on theoretical considerations, higher levels of idolatry were hypothesized to be related to 1) lower levels of general well-being, spiritual well-being, life meaning and satisfaction, global religiousness, intrinsic religiousness, and 2) higher levels of extrinsic religiousness, alcohol and drug use, and narcissism. Data from 200 participants from a Midwestern university were collected and examined. A factor analysis of the Idolatry Index was conducted. Pearson and semi-partial correlations between the Idolatry Index and criterion variables were calculated. In general, analysis of the results supported both hypotheses and suggested that idolatry, as measured by the Idolatry Index, is not uncommon and that idolatry can be measured reliably (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95). Furthermore, the results suggested that idolatry is a promising construct that deserves additional study within the psychology of religion.
Kenneth Pargament (Advisor)
Psychology of Religion; Idolatry

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lynn, Q. K. (2005). THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS: A PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION OF IDOLATRY [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1131326696

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lynn, Quinten. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS: A PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION OF IDOLATRY. 2005. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1131326696.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lynn, Quinten. "THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS: A PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION OF IDOLATRY." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1131326696

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1131326696
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© 2005, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.