Mature Religion at 75: An Appraisal of Gordon Allport’s (1950) 'The Individual and His Religion'
2024
Mature Religion at 75: An Appraisal of Gordon Allport’s Theory
Sample size: 278
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Mirarchi Kelly, Hope Peter, Sommers Delaney, Thompson Edward, Iwasaki Michiko, Futterman Andrew
Primary Institution: Loyola University Maryland
Hypothesis
Does personal religiousness mature over time as individuals age?
Conclusion
Older adults tend to have a more mature and intrinsic approach to their religious beliefs as they age.
Supporting Evidence
- Allport's theory of religious maturity has remained relevant over nearly 75 years.
- Older adults are better at tolerating their religious doubts as they age.
- Individuals often test and change their beliefs through social interactions.
Takeaway
As people get older, they often become more confident in their religious beliefs and understand them better.
Methodology
The study involved 278 open-ended interviews with individuals aged 55-101.
Participant Demographics
Individuals aged 55-101.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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