Tag Archives: christianity

Understanding Obedience Theory:

Understanding Obedience Theory:

Obedience Theory refers to psychological theories that explain why individuals comply with authority figures, even when doing so may go against their personal morals or ethical standards.

Key Concepts in Obedience Theory:

Definition of Obedience:
 Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from an authority figure.

1. Milgram’s Obedience Study (1963)

The cornerstone of obedience theory:

  • Experiment Summary:
     Participants were instructed to administer increasingly severe electric shocks to a “learner” (actually an actor) by an authority figure in a lab coat.
  • Findings:
     Over 60% of participants administered the highest voltage, despite believing it caused serious harm.
  • Conclusion:
     People tend to obey authority figures, even against their moral judgment, especially when:
  • The authority appears legitimate
  • The task is framed as serving a higher purpose
  • Responsibility is perceived as being transferred to the authority

2. Factors Influencing Obedience:

  • Authority Legitimacy:
     People obey more when the authority appears credible (e.g., uniformed, institutional).
  • Proximity of Authority:
     Obedience increases when the authority figure is physically close.
  • Proximity of Victim:
     Obedience decreases when the victim is closer or more personally known.
  • Group Influence:
     Presence of dissenting peers reduces obedience.

3. Theoretical Foundations:

  • Agentic State Theory:
     People enter an agentic state where they see themselves as agents executing another person’s wishes, thus reducing personal responsibility.
  • Social Role Theory:
     In the Stanford Prison Experiment, individuals adopted authoritarian or submissive roles based on assigned positions, showing obedience to perceived roles.

4. Applications and Relevance:

  • Military obedience
  • Medical hierarchies
  • Corporate compliance
  • Historical atrocities (e.g., Holocaust)

5. Criticisms and Ethical Concerns:

  • Ethics of experiments:
     Milgram’s and Zimbardo’s studies raised questions about psychological harm and informed consent.
  • Ecological Validity:
     Critics argue that lab-based obedience may not fully represent real-life situations.

Here’s a clear comparison between obedience, conformity, and compliance — three key concepts in social influence:

1. Obedience

  • What it is: Following a direct order or command from an authority figure.
  • Who influences: An authority figure (someone perceived as having legitimate power).
  • Example: A soldier following orders from a commanding officer.
  • Key feature: Power imbalance; the authority has explicit power over the individual.
  • Motivation: Fear of punishment, respect for authority, perceived duty.

2. Conformity

  • What it is: Changing your behavior or beliefs to match those of a group, often due to social pressure.
  • Who influences: Peers or a social group, not necessarily an authority figure.
  • Example: Dressing like your friends or agreeing with group opinions during discussions.
  • Key feature: Informal social influence; no explicit orders, but a desire to fit in or be accepted.
  • Motivation: Desire to be liked (normative influence) or to be correct (informational influence).

3. Compliance

  • What it is: Changing behavior in response to a direct request, but not necessarily from an authority figure.
  • Who influences: Any individual or group making a request.
  • Example: Agreeing to sign a petition when asked by a stranger.
  • Key feature: Voluntary agreement to a request without authority pressure.
  • Motivation: Desire to be helpful, avoid conflict, or gain reward.

Summary Table

Influence Type Source of Influence Nature of Influence Example Motivation Obedience Authority figure Direct command Soldier following orders Fear of punishment, duty Conformity Peer group Social pressure Adopting group behavior Desire for acceptance/correctness Compliance Requester (anyone)Direct request Signing a petition Desire to help, avoid conflict.

Shervan K Shahhian

Adverse Religious Experiences (AREs), what are they:

Adverse Religious Experiences (AREs), what are they:

The term “Adverse Religious Experiences” (AREs) is not as commonly used or established as its counterpart, “Near-Death Experiences” (NDEs), for example. However, it seems to refer to negative or distressing encounters or events associated with religious or spiritual contexts. These experiences may involve feelings of fear, anxiety, or discomfort, and they are often in contrast to the positive or transcendent experiences that individuals may associate with their faith.

AREs can take various forms, such as unsettling visions, disturbing encounters during religious rituals, or feelings of spiritual abandonment. People who undergo these experiences may grapple with existential questions, doubt their religious beliefs, or face psychological challenges as a result.

It’s important to note that religious experiences, both positive and negative, can be highly subjective and culturally influenced. Some individuals may interpret certain events as spiritually adverse, while others may view them differently based on their personal beliefs and cultural background.

Research on adverse religious experiences is not as extensive as that on positive religious experiences or NDEs, and the terminology might not be widely recognized in academic or clinical contexts. If you are interested in this topic, you may want to explore related research in the fields of psychology, religious studies, and theology to gain a more nuanced understanding of the concept and its implications.

Shervan K Shahhian

Purity Culture, what is it:

Purity culture, what is it:

“Purity culture” refers to a set of beliefs and practices that emerged within certain religious and conservative communities, emphasizing sexual abstinence until marriage and promoting a narrow and often idealized view of sexuality. This cultural phenomenon gained prominence in the late 20th century, particularly in certain Christian circles in the United States.

Key aspects of purity culture include:

Abstinence as a Virtue: Purity culture often places a high value on Abstinence, framing it as a virtue and a form of moral superiority. Those who abstain from premarital intimacy are often praised for their commitment to purity.

Modesty Standards: Purity culture frequently advocates for modesty in dress and behavior, with the belief that avoiding provocative clothing and actions can help individuals maintain their sexual purity.

Courtship Instead of Dating: Purity culture may encourage a model of courtship, where couples are chaperoned and follow a more intentional and supervised path toward marriage, as opposed to casual dating.

Abstinence Education: Purity culture is associated with abstinence-only education, which promotes refraining from sexual activity until marriage as the only acceptable option. This approach sometimes involves limited information about contraception and comprehensive sex education.

Shame and Guilt: Individuals who do not adhere to the standards of purity culture may experience shame and guilt, as their actions are often framed as sinful or impure. This can have lasting psychological effects on individuals who have been part of such a culture.

Critics of purity culture argue that it can be harmful, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety about one’s sexuality. They suggest that it often creates unrealistic expectations, reinforces gender stereotypes, and fails to provide a healthy and comprehensive understanding of human sexuality.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and critique of purity culture, with some communities and individuals reevaluating these beliefs and seeking more inclusive and nuanced approaches to discussions about sexuality and relationships.

Shervan K Shahhian

Reutilized Religions, what are they:

Reutilized religions, what are they:

“Reutilized religions” is not a widely recognized or commonly used term, and its meaning may vary depending on the context. However, it could refer to the phenomenon where elements of existing or historical religious traditions are repurposed, adapted, or integrated into new belief systems or spiritual practices.

This concept may manifest in various ways:

Syncretism: Combining different religious beliefs and practices to create a new, blended system.

New Religious Movements (NRMs): Some emerging spiritual movements incorporate elements from established religions while introducing new interpretations or practices.

Cultural Appropriation: Taking religious symbols, rituals, or concepts from one culture and using them in a different cultural or spiritual context.

Revivalism: Reintroducing or emphasizing certain aspects of ancient or marginalized religious traditions in a contemporary setting.

Adaptation for Modern Contexts: Modifying traditional religious practices to suit the needs or preferences of modern believers.

It’s important to note that the term “reutilized religions” is not standard, and without a specific context, its interpretation might be subjective. If you have a particular context or source in mind, providing more details could help in offering a more precise explanation.

Shervan K Shahhian

Stages of faith, what is that:

Stages of faith, what is that:

It’s important to note that not everyone progresses through all these stages, and some may stall or regress at certain points. Additionally, individuals may experience faith in diverse ways, and various cultural and religious backgrounds can influence the expression and development of faith. Different scholars and religious traditions may have alternative models or perspectives on the stages of faith.

The concept of “stages of faith” refers to a developmental framework that describes the various ways individuals may experience and understand their faith or spirituality over time. Different theorists and scholars have proposed various models of stages of faith, but one well-known and influential model is James W. Fowler’s stages of faith development.

James W. Fowler, a theologian and developmental psychologist, proposed a six-stage model of faith development in his book “Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning” (1981). Here is a brief overview of Fowler’s stages:

Stage 0: Primal or Undifferentiated Faith (Infancy to 2 years)

  • Characterized by a basic trust in the caregiver; faith is undifferentiated and instinctual.

Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith (Preschool to 7 years)

  • Imagination and fantasy play a significant role in understanding faith.
  • Children often adopt the beliefs and values of their parents or caregivers without much critical reflection.

Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith (School age to adolescence)

  • Literal interpretation of religious stories and symbols.
  • Developing the ability to use symbols and language to make meaning of faith.

Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith (Adolescence to early adulthood)

  • Conformity to religious and societal norms.
  • The individual may adopt a faith structure provided by a religious community.

Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith (Adulthood)

  • A move toward a more personalized and critically examined faith.
  • Questioning of beliefs and values, and a more individualized understanding of spirituality.

Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith (Mid-life and beyond)

  • Recognition and appreciation of paradox and mystery.
  • A more inclusive and integrative view of faith that incorporates diverse perspectives.

Stage 6: Universalizing Faith (Rare, few people reach this stage)

  • A transcendent and inclusive faith that transcends individual and cultural boundaries.
  • Few individuals achieve this level, characterized by a deep sense of compassion and universal love.

It’s important to note that not everyone progresses through all these stages, and some may stall or regress at certain points. Additionally, individuals may experience faith in diverse ways, and various cultural and religious backgrounds can influence the expression and development of faith. Different scholars and religious traditions may have alternative models or perspectives on the stages of faith

Shervan K Shahhian