Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Graham, Steven
Area of Concentration
Philosophy and Religion
Abstract
Religiosity can manifest in many ways. This thesis makes a distinction between two different ways of being religious: securely or insecurely. Are these two manifestations related to how people respond to religious artifacts of their own or another religion? Are they related to the personality traits of agreeableness, openness, and narcissism? This thesis addressed these questions by exposing Wiccans and Catholics to a religious artifact and an accompanying story about either its Wiccan or Catholic origins. Participants then completed questions about their response to the artifact, religious security, and openness, agreeableness, and narcissism. The results show that both Wiccans and Catholics reacted significantly differently to the different stories. Moreover, religious security correlated in both expected and unexpected ways with reactions to the artifacts/stories, personality traits, and with religious identification. This thesis explores the implications of these findings and suggests directions for future research
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Raegan, "IT’S ALL JUST A BUNCH OF HOCUS POCUS: REACTIONS TO ARTIFACTS FROM ONE’S OWN OR ANOTHER RELIGION" (2024). Theses & ETDs. 6464.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6464