RESEARCH: "Consequences of a Multidimensional Approach to Religion for the Relationship Between Religiosity and Value Priorities"

Based on both a theological and a sociopsychological analysis, the goals of Roman Catholic religion were identified and translated in terms of Schwartz's (1992) 10 value types of Hedonism, Stimulation, Self-Direction, Universalism, Benevolence, Tradition, Conformity, Security, Power, and Achievement. The relations between these value types and Wulff's (1991, 1997) two religiosity dimensions of Exclusion versus Inclusion of Transcendence and Literal versus Symbolic, as measured by the Post-Critical Belief scale (Fontaine et al., 2003), were tested in seven samples (N = 1695) gathered in Flanders (Belgium). The value pattern associated with the Exclusion versus Inclusion of Transcendence dimension was characterized by a conflict between Hedonism, Stimulation, and Self-Direction on one hand, and Tradition and Conformity on the other hand. The value pattern associated with the Literal versus Symbolic dimension was characterized by a conflict between Security and Power on one hand, and Universalism and Benevolence on the other hand.