Religiosity and AIDS : The Relationship Between Religious Orientation and Attitudes Toward AIDS

Author

• Patricia J. Pallay, University of North Florida

Year

1995

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP)

Department

Psychology

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Abstract

It was hypothesized that religious orientation would influence the attitudes that individuals formulated about AIDS and its victims. Specifically, intrinsically oriented subjects were predicted to have more positive attitudes toward AIDS and people with AIDS, and extrinsically oriented subjects were predicted to have more negative attitudes toward AIDS and people with AIDS. Sixty three college students enrolled in social psychology were administered Allport and Ross' Religious Orientation Scale to measure intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientation. Three existing measures were used to assess attitudes toward AIDS. Additional instruments were also given to assess the subjects' knowledge about AIDS and attitudes toward homosexuality in order to eliminate the risk of confounds from these variables. Results showed no relationship between religiosity and attitudes toward AIDS, knowledge about AIDS, or attitudes toward homosexuality. Several plausible alternative explanations for the null results were considered and recommendations for future research were discussed.

Suggested Citation

Pallay, Patricia J., "Religiosity and AIDS : The Relationship Between Religious Orientation and Attitudes Toward AIDS" (1995). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 78.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/78