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Rationality and the Framing of Religious Choices

Publication ,  Journal Article
Chaves, M; Montgomery, JD
Published in: Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
1996

A growing body of research conducted by cognitive psychologists and behavioral economists finds that some features of human decision making are not adequately described by standard rational choice models of human behavior. In this paper, we offer experimental evidence suggesting that one of these features -- framing effects -- also arises in religious choices. When faced with a hypothetical choice between two religious options, respondents' choices were strongly influenced by the reference point from which they evaluated the options. Such results are difficult to reconcile with standard rational choice models, and they suggest alternatives to extant rational choice explanations of religious behavior. We discuss one such specific alternative: framing effects suggest that a "status quo bias" rather than "religious capital" may be responsible for relatively low levels of intergenerational mobility among religious denominations.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

ISSN

0021-8294

Publication Date

1996

Volume

35

Issue

2

Start / End Page

128 / 144

Publisher

SOC SCIENTIFIC STUDY RELIGION

Related Subject Headings

  • Religions & Theology
  • 5004 Religious studies
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
  • 1608 Sociology
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Chaves, M., & Montgomery, J. D. (1996). Rationality and the Framing of Religious Choices. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 35(2), 128–144.
Chaves, M., and J. D. Montgomery. “Rationality and the Framing of Religious Choices.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 35, no. 2 (1996): 128–44.
Chaves M, Montgomery JD. Rationality and the Framing of Religious Choices. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 1996;35(2):128–44.
Chaves, M., and J. D. Montgomery. “Rationality and the Framing of Religious Choices.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, vol. 35, no. 2, SOC SCIENTIFIC STUDY RELIGION, 1996, pp. 128–44.
Chaves M, Montgomery JD. Rationality and the Framing of Religious Choices. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. SOC SCIENTIFIC STUDY RELIGION; 1996;35(2):128–144.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

ISSN

0021-8294

Publication Date

1996

Volume

35

Issue

2

Start / End Page

128 / 144

Publisher

SOC SCIENTIFIC STUDY RELIGION

Related Subject Headings

  • Religions & Theology
  • 5004 Religious studies
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
  • 1608 Sociology