fei75766_ch12_377-407.indd 402  02/06/20 12:56 PM
Part IV    Dispositional Theories402
well-being andpositive mood. Buttfound noassociation between intrinsic religiosity 
anddepression. Extrinsic religiosity wasnegatively related topsychological well-being 
andpositive mood butpositively withanxiety—meaning those withhighextrinsic 
scores arelowinwell-being andpositive mood buthighinanxiety. Insum, Allport’s 
model ofreligiosity isfinding intriguing support when applied toIslamic samples, but
itisalsoclear thatthepattern ofpsychological outcomes differs somewhat compared 
toChristian samples.
Critique of Allport
Allport based histheory ofpersonality more onphilosophical speculation andcom-
monsense thanonscientific investigations. Henever intended histheory tobecom-
pletely neworcomprehensive, butrather hewaseclectic, carefully borrowing from 
older theories andrecognizing thathisdetractors could haveimportant things tosay.
Consistent withthistolerant attitude, Allport (1968) acknowledged thathisadversar -
iesmayhavebeen atleastpartially right. 
ToAllport, most people arebestthought ofasconscious, forward-looking, 
tension-seeking individuals. Topeople whobelieve thatdeterministic theories haveTABLE 12.2
Example Items from the Muslim –Christian Religious Orientation Scales (MCROS)  
(Ghorbani et al., 2002)
Scale Sample Item
Intrinsic “Inmyreligious life,Ialways seekcloseness toGod”
“Itisessential thatIspend timereading theQuran (Bible) sothatIcanhearwhat God
hastosaytome”
Extrinsic
This-Worldly
Personal-Positive “IreadtheQuran (Bible) because itmakes mefeelgood about myself” 
Personal-Negative “Anawareness ofmyownpersonal inadequacies isamain reason whyIneed God”
Social-Positive “Aprincipal reason behind myreligion istomake newfriends andacquaintances”
Social-Negative “Iamreligious inorder nottohaveabadreputation among others”
Cultural-Positive “Mymotivation forbeing religious isadesire todevelop ahuman society thatis
peaceful, just,andhappy”
Cultural-Negative “Iamreligious because Iknow thatthelossofreligious lifeleads tothedecline of
civilization andculture”
Other-Worldly
Positive “Iamreligious because Iwant tospend eternity inheaven”
Negative “Idomybesttoavoid sinbecause Idonotwant togotohell.”Final PDF to printer