Lecture 18: Internalization of Religious Values and Guidelines

Question 1

What were the two responses that teachers had to Koestner, Ryan and Deci when they explained how common methods often undermine intrinsic motivation?

Answer 1

1. That they’re motivating in a controlling way because they are being pressured by parents and principals
2. There are a lot of things that the kids must do that aren’t intrinsically motivating

Question 2

What % of canadians are religious? what % is agnostic/athiest? in the middle?

Answer 2

20%
20%
60%

Question 3

How is religion correlated with wellbeing and positive outcomes?

Answer 3

significantly related to higher well being (r=.16)
Higher GPA and achievement scores (r=.20)
Lower divorce rate and higher marital satisfaction (r=.20)
Reduction in mortality (25% controlling for health factors)

Question 4

What’s a possible 3rd factor that could be responsible for religion’s correlation with increased wellbeing?

Answer 4

effective parenting that helps a child internalize religious values would probably be helpful in other domains like school and social relationships

Question 5

What are possible explanations for lower mortality in religious individuals?

Answer 5

1. Prescription of health-promoting behaviors
2. Ability to confer social support
3. Religious practice promotes self control

Question 6

How can religious beliefs help self-control?

Answer 6

1. Goal selection: suggests goals: emphasis on self improvement and community. If a goal is attached to a religious belief it increases it’s importance. less likely that goals will be conflicting
2. Monitoring: supernatural presence, more aware of monitoring ex: confession
3. Strength: religious actively teach you to practice self control: example fasting, praying

Question 7

What are the two important motivational processes according to Deci?

Answer 7

1. intrinsic motivation

2. Internalization

Question 8

How does Deci define internalization?

Answer 8

process by which cultural beliefs and practices are adopted by the individual and then enacted in the absence of immediate external contingencies or constraints

Question 9

What are the two processes by which internalization can occur?

Answer 9

1. Introjection: not fully internalizing the rules and guidelines or accepting them as their own
2. Identification and Integration: fully assimilating a regulation with ones core sense of self

Question 10

What is a signifiant moderator of the positive effects of religion?

Answer 10

how it’s been internalized

Question 11

What are the 3 things parents can do to promote Healthy internalization (integration)

Answer 11

1. Provide a meaningful rationale
2. Acknowledge the child’s feelings
3. Convey a sense of choice