BBPS items and four statements from the TSCS concerning religiosity (e.g., ‘I am a religious person,’ ‘I am as reli-
gious as I want to be’ ).
Criterion/Predictive
The BBPS score increased significantly following a 7-day Buddhist meditation retreat, as compared with con-
trols, suggestive of predictive validity, although no validity correlations or standardized beta coefficients were
reported ( Emavardhana & Tori, 1997 ).
Location
Emavardhana, T., & Tori, C.D. (1997). Changes in self-concept, ego defense mechanisms, and religiosity follow-
ing seven-day Vipassana meditation retreats. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 36(2) , 194/C0206.
Results and Comments
An increase in the BBPS score was associated with an increase in overall self-esteem, self-concept, and reduc-
tions in self-criticism ( Emavardhana & Tori, 1997 ). It was also associated with a decrease in ego defense mechan-
isms of compensation, displacement, projection, and regression, but was associated with a greater use of denial
(Emavardhana & Tori, 1997 ). To our knowledge, the BBPS is the only measure that assesses Buddhist beliefs and
practices.
BBPS SAMPLE ITEMS
1.I believe in the doctrine of no soul.
2.The teachings of the Buddha are very important in
my life.
3.I observe the 5 precepts.Notes : Reproduced with permission.
The BBPS scale is not included in the original article,
so readers should contact the authors.
New Age Orientation Scale (NAOS)
(Granqvist & Hagekull, 2001 ).
Variable
The NAOS measures religious beliefs and practices in the New Age religious tradition.
Description
The 22-item NAOS assesses beliefs and practices within the emerging New Age faith tradition. The scale is
rooted in Eastern religious orientations and parapsychology ( Granqvist & Hagekull, 2001 ). Responses for each
item range from 1 ‘strongly disagree’ to 6 ‘strongly agree’. Summing scores produces scores that range from
22/C0132, with higher scores indicating greater New Age spirituality.
Sample
NAOS was developed in 50 participants (New Age Believers) from vegetarian cafes, alternative bookstores,
and health/medicine centers (76% female, mean age 35 years) ( Granqvist & Hagekull, 2001 ). Scores by New
Agers were compared to those obtained by 143 adolescents and young adults from a Christian youth organiza-
tion of the Lutheran Church of Sweden in Stockholm (66% female, mean age 18 years).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be high (0.95) ( Granqvist & Hagekull, 2001 ).
Test/C0Retest
To our knowledge, no studies have reported test /C0retest reliability coefficients to-date.556 19. MEASURES OF RELIGIOSITY
V. VICES AND VIRTUES