Conceptual Similarities Among Fantasy and Religious Orientations
A Developmental Perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12823217 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rachel B Thibodeau-Nielsen (0000-0002-0854-1317, University of Missouri, corresponding author), Melissa Brown (0009-0008-2304-1565, corresponding author), Alexandra F Nancarrow (0000-0003-2988-9336, University of Alabama, corresponding author), Karrie E Elpers (0000-0001-6148-7703, University of Alabama, corresponding author), Ansley T Gilpin (0000-0001-9986-3567, University of Alabama, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 1-2 |
| Pages | 31-46 |
| Publication date | 2018-03-28 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Cognition and Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1567-7095 • E-ISSN: 1568-5373 |
| Publisher | Brill (PUBLISHER • NL) |
| DOI | 10.1163/15685373-12340021 |
| OpenAlex | W2808476069 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 8 |
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
Doctrine · Epistemology · Fantasy · Literature · Openness to experience · Perspective (graphical · Religiosity · Religious experience · Religious orientation · Theology · Cultural Differences and Values · Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology
Imaginary Companions and the Children Who Create Them
Cognitive and Contextual Factors in the Emergence of Diverse Belief Systems
Play and Its Role in the Mental Development of the Child
The Development of Children's Beliefs about Prayer
Diverse Cognitive Profiles of Religious Believers and Nonbelievers
Approaching an understanding of omniscience from the preschool years to early adulthood
Flights of Fancy, Leaps of Faith
Predictors of Religiosity Among Youth Aged 17-22
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |