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Do religious cognitions promote prosociality?

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  • Ashley Harrell

Abstract

Researchers have long argued that religion increases prosocial behavior, but results are equivocal. Recent findings on priming religious concepts seem to show that religion drives other-regarding behaviors. However, here I suggest that some religious concepts may not only be priming religion, but also anticipated rewards. I present the results of a new experiment that primes reward-related and reward-unrelated religious or secular concepts. Results show that priming reward-related concepts positively impacts prosocial behavior (specifically, generosity), regardless of their religious content. Religious cognitions alone are not sufficient to elicit generosity: reward cognitions must be present as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley Harrell, 2012. "Do religious cognitions promote prosociality?," Rationality and Society, , vol. 24(4), pages 463-482, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:24:y:2012:i:4:p:463-482
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463112463930
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisa Anderson & Jennifer Mellor & Jeffrey Milyo, 2010. "Did the Devil Make Them Do It? The Effects of Religion in Public Goods and Trust Games," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(2), pages 163-175, May.
    2. Warren B. Hrung, 2004. "After‐Life Consumption and Charitable Giving," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(3), pages 731-745, July.
    3. Philip Grossman & Matthew Parrett, 2011. "Religion and prosocial behaviour: a field test," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(6), pages 523-526.
    4. Hung-Lin Tao & Powen Yeh, 2007. "Religion as an Investment: Comparing the Contributions and Volunteer Frequency among Christians, Buddhists, and Folk Religionists," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 73(3), pages 770-790, January.
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    1. Davide Barrera & Sara Romanò & Giulia Bocca, 2025. "Effects of frames and incentives on prosociality in the lab. Comparing abstract and realistic scenarios," Rationality and Society, , vol. 37(2), pages 170-200, May.
    2. Matteo Alessandro Ruberto, 2024. "Divine Prosociality: How Religion Influences Altruism in Dictator Games - A Meta-Analysis," Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy, Society for the Advancement of Behavioral Economics (SABE), vol. 8(1), pages 27-38, December.
    3. Miao, Shuchao & Chi, Jing & Liao, Jing & Qian, Long, 2021. "How does religious belief promote farmer entrepreneurship in rural China?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 95-104.
    4. Faisal Alshehri & Marianna Fotaki & Saleema Kauser, 2021. "The Effects of Spirituality and Religiosity on the Ethical Judgment in Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(3), pages 567-593, December.

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