Religiosity: Development of religious cognitive schemas and religious faith

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to investigate developmental changes in the religiosity of individuals in relation to age, education and gender. The study also investigated the relation among religious faith and religious schemas. The sample used was comprised of 285 individuals of Christian Orthodox faith (men n = 128, women n = 157) with ages range of 13-86 years (M = 26.69, SD = 15.80). Participants had high school, lyceum, graduate, and post graduate education. All participants filled out two questionnaires, Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire and Religious Schema Scale. Results showed a significant affect mostly of age and education and less of gender on the formation of religiosity. Results also presented a significant relation among religious faith and religious schemas of truth of texts and teachings (ttt) and fairness, tolerance and rational choice (frt).