Expressive individualism and religion in the Netherlands
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 18979481 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hessel J Zondag (Tilburg University, the Netherlands) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 41-58 |
| Publication date | 2013-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Compass (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0037-7686 • E-ISSN: 1461-7404 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/0037768612471777 |
| OpenAlex | W2313686043 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 9 |
The author presents a study of the relationship between expressive individualism and religiosity. Data were collected from participants in internet forums concerned with New Age and Christian religiosity (N=422). Through factor analysis, four dimensions of expressive individualism were identified: autonomy, setting oneself apart from others, personal development, and expression of emotions. The relationship between expressive individualism and religion was found to be ambivalent and negatively dominated by autonomy. After eliminating the effect of autonomy, two patterns remained visible, both characterized by a positive connection to religiosity. Setting oneself apart from others is associated with more traditional and institutional religiosity, and personal development with a more private mode of religiosity. The explanation of this concealed longing for religion is sought in the pressure resulting from expressive individualism as a way of life
Ambivalence · Autonomy · Individualism · Political science · Religiosity · Sociology · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Law · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |