Religiosity as Identity: Toward an Understanding of Religion From a Social Identity Perspective

Abstract

As a social identity anchored in a system of guiding beliefs and symbols, religion ought to serve a uniquely powerful function in shaping psychological and social processes. Religious identification offers a distinctive "sacred" worldview and "eternal" group membership, unmatched by identification with other social groups. Thus, religiosity might be explained, at least partially, by the marked cognitive and emotional value that religious group membership provides. The uniqueness of a positive social group, grounded in a belief system that offers epistemological and ontological certainty, lends religious identity a twofold advantage for the promotion of well-being. However, that uniqueness may have equally negative impacts when religious identity itself is threatened through intergroup conflict. Such consequences are illustrated by an examination of identities ranging from religious fundamentalism to atheism. Consideration of religion's dual function as a social identity and a belief system may facilitate greater understanding of the variability in its importance across individuals and groups.

Spiritual reminiscence therapy for older people with loneliness, anxiety and depression living in a residential aged care facility, Malaysia: The effectiveness and older people’s experiences

“…This reflects social identity theory, in that both types of activities were interactive group activities in which a sense of shared identity may be developed. Further, this finding supports the view of social identity theory that group membership provides emotional support to people in that group (Ysseldyk et al, 2010), especially for people who have an emotional attachment to that group (Liu, 2012). This is also supported by the qualitative findings in the present study, which indicated that in the SRT program participants provided emotional support to each other.…”

“…These similarities arose from food, former occupations and the places they came from. The sense of commonality among group participants could improve the sense of belonging (Song et al, 2014) and encourage the sense of shared social identity (Ysseldyk et al, 2010). This finding provides some support for the SRT program as a way of helping participants to develop shared identity and connectedness across perceived difference.…”

“…Social identity develops when people find reason and motivation to engage in a group and feel themselves to be part of a group (Haslam et al, 2015). Group membership provides emotional value that is central in the sense of self-value (Ysseldyk, Matheson, & Anisman, 2010). Group membership can also aid redevelopment of a person's self-concept when people view the group as a part of themselves (Liu, 2012).…”

“…From a social psychological perspective, religious identity is an extension of social identity that people gain from religious group interventions (Ysseldyk et al, 2010).…”

Believe it or not: Exploring the relationship between dogmatism and openness within non-religious samples

“…Much research has examined the different personality traits associated with religious group membership, though study of the same differences amongst non-religious individuals has been neglected. While there are a series of external factors which separate non-religious from religious individuals (Barber, 2011;Ysseldyk, Matheson, & Anisman, 2010) there may also be clear differences in individuals within this non-religious category.…”