The Influence of Religiosity on Group Attitudes

Abstract

The complexity of the relationship between religiosity and prosociality is evident on multiple planes. A survey of human history yields divergent views regarding religion’s influence on morality and prosocial behavior. Proponents of religion argue that it is largely responsible for the moral evolution of western civilization. On the other hand, one cannot overlook the extensive history of hatred and violence fueled by religion. Undoubtedly moved by the historical significance of this question, researchers set out to understand religiosity’s influence on moral and prosocial attitudes and behaviors from a psychological perspective.