Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The psychosocial climate of religious congregations

  • Published:
American Journal of Community Psychology

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alden, L. Treatment environment and patient improvement.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1978,166, 327–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allport, G., & Ross, J. Personal religious orientation and prejudice.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1967,5, 432–443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyris, C. Dangers in applying results from experimental social psychology.American Psychologist, 1975,30, 469–485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batson, C. D. Religion as prosocial: agent or double agent.Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 1976,15, 29–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brehm, J.A theory of psychological reactance. New York: Academic Press, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. Toward an experimental ecology of human development.American Psychologist, 1977,32, 513–531.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cone, J. H.God of the oppressed. New York: Seabury Press, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, R. Recovering the church's transforming middle: Theological reflections on the balance between faithfulness and effectiveness. In D. Hoge & D. Roozen (Eds.),Understanding church growth and decline: 1950–1978. New York: Pilgrim Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feagin, J. Prejudice and religious types: A focussed study of southern fundamentalists.Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion, 1964,4, 3–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fichter, J. H.Social relations in the urban parish. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endler, N. S., & Magnusson, D. Toward an interactional psychology of personality.Psychological Bulletin, 1976,83, 956–974.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, J., & Bishop, L. Relationship of organizational structure and teacher personality characteristics to organizational climate.Administrative Science Quarterly, 1971,16, 467–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glock, C., & Stark, R.Christian beliefs and anti-semitism. New York: Harper, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, E., Obitz, F., & Kaye, D. Relationships among control orientation, the FIRO-B and the Ward Atmosphere Scale in hospitalized men alcoholics.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 1978,39, 68–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwald, H., & Satow, Y. A short social desirability scale.Communication research reports. Boston: Boston University Press, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T., & Schneider, B.Organizational climates and careers: The work lives of priests. New York: Seminar Press, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haugk, K. Unique contributions of churches and clergy to community mental health.Community Mental Health Journal, 1976,12, 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heider, F.The psychology of interpersonal relations. New York: Wiley, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellriegel, D., & Slocum, J. Jr. Organizational climate: Measures, research, and contingencies.Academy of Management Journal, 1974,17, 255–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holahan, C., & Spearly, J. Coping and ecology: An integretive model for community psychology.American Journal of Community Psychology, 1980,8, 671–685.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A. B., & Redlich, F.Social class and mental illness. New York: Wiley, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Insel, P. Task force report: the social climate of mental health.Community Mental Health Journal, 1980,16, 62–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Insel, P. M., & Moos, R. H. Psychological environments: Expanding the scope of human ecology.American Psychologist, 1974,29, 179–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacquet, C. H., Jr. (Ed.).Yearbook of American and Canadian churches, 1977. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, L., Hater, J., Gent, M., & Bruni, J. Psychological climate: Implications from cognitive social learning theory and interactional psychology.Personnel Psychology, 1978,31, 783–813.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jason, L., & Lattimore, B.Strengthening a religious social support system. Paper presented at American Psychological Association. Washington, D.C., August 1982.

  • Kahoe, R., & Meadow, J.Religious orientation dimensions: Individuals and institutional relations. Paper presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Chicago, October 1977.

  • Kaplan, B. H. A note on religious beliefs and coronary heart disease.Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association, Supplement 1976, 60–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, D.Why conservative churches are growing. New York: Harper & Row, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerlinger, F. N., & Pedhauzer, E. J.Multiple regression in behavioral research. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, M. Measurement of the religious variable: 9 proposed dimensions.Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 1967,6, 173–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litwin, G., & Stringer, R.Motivation and organizational climate. Cambridge: Harvard Business School, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGavran, D. A.Understanding church growth. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGaw, D. B., & Wright, E.A tale of two congregations: Commitment and social structure in a charismatic and mainline congregation. Hartford Seminary Foundation Research Report, 1979.

  • Maton, K.Evaluation of an economic barter and sharing program in a religious setting. Paper presented at American Psychological Association. Washington, D.C., August 1982.

  • Moberg, D.The church as a social institution. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. Conceptualizations of human environments.American Psychologist, 1973, 652–665.

  • Moos, R. H.The social climate scales: An overview. Palo Alto, Calif.: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R.Evaluating treatment environments: A social ecological approach. New York: Wiley, 1974(b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., Mehren, B., & Moos, B. The Salvation Army alcoholism treatment program: A case study.Journal of Alcohol Studies, 1978,39, 1267–1275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., Shelton, R., & Petty, C. Perceived ward climate and treatment outcome.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1973,82, 291–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murrell, S.Community psychology and social systems. New York: Behavioral Publications, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, J. J., & Hiller, H. Verbalization and decision making in religious organizations.Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 1981,20, 173–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pace, R.College and university environment scales: Technical manual. Princeton: Educational Testing Service, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. Religion, community support systems and mental health. In D. Biegel & A. Naperstak (Eds.),Community support systems and mental health. New York: Springer Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K., Echemendia, R., Johnson, S., McGath, C., Matman, V., & Baxter, W.Assessing the religious needs of college students: Action-oriented research in the religious context. Review of Religious Research, in press.

  • Pargament, K., Steele, R., & Tyler, F. Religious participation, religious motivation and individual psychosocial competence.Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 1979,18, 412–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K., Tyler, F., & Steele, R. The church/synagogue and the psychosocial competence of the member: An initial inquiry into a neglected dimension.American Journal of Community Psychology, 1979,7, 649–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Photiadis, J., & Schwartz, W. Attitudes toward joining authoritarian organizations and sectarian churches.Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 1970,9, 227–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • President's Commission on Mental Health.Report of recommendations (Vol. 1). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, G., & Butterfield, D. The case for subsystem climates in organizations.Academy of Management Review, 1978, 151–157.

  • Rappaport, J. In praise of paradox: A social policy of empowerment over prevention.American Journal of Community Psychology, 1981,9, 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J. D.A black political theology. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roof, W., Hoge, D., Dyble, J., & Hadaway, C. Factors producing growth or decline in United Presbyterian congregations. In D. Hoge & D. Roozen (Eds.),Understanding church growth and decline: 1950–1978. New York: Pilgrim Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roozen, D., & Carroll, J. W. Recent trends in church membership and participation: an introduction. In D. Hoge & D. Roozen (Eds.),Understanding church growth and decline: 1950–1978. New York: Pilgrim Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roozen, D., & Carroll, J.The parish profile inventory as a resource for congregational assessment and planning. Paper presented at American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.: August 1982.

  • Rosenberg, M.Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, J. A new scale for the measurement of interpersonal trust.Journal of Personality, 1967,35, 651–665.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaeffer, R. L., Mendenhall, W., &Ott, L. Elementary survey sampling. Mass.: Duxburg Press, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B. The perception of organizational climate: The customer's view.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1973,57, 248–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B. Organizational climates: An essay.Personnel Psychology, 1975,28, 447–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B., & Bartlett, C. Individual differences and organizational climate. II. Measurement of organizational climate by the multi-trait, multi-rater matrix.Personnel Psychology, 1970,23, 493–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, C. Designing ideal staff environments through milieu management.Journal of College Student Personnel, 1979,20, 129–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, W.The development of an instrument to measure member satisfaction with the church. Unpublished manuscript, Bowling Green State University, 1982.

  • Smith, M. B. Competence and socialization. In J. Clausen (Ed.),Socialization and society. Boston: Little, Brown, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P., & Ironson, G.Development of the scale of life satisfaction (SOLS). Unpublished manuscript, Bowling Green State University, 1979.

  • Smith, P., Kendall, L., & Hulin, C.The measurement of satisfaction in work and retirement. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern G.People in context: Measuring person environment congruence in education and industry. New York: Wiley, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trickett, E., & Wilkinson, L. Using individual or group scores on perceived environment scales: Classroom environment scale as example.American Journal of Community Psychology, 1979,7, 497–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tryon, R. C., & Bailey, D.Cluster analysis. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, F. Individual psychosocial competence: A personality configuration.Education and Psychological Measurement, 1978,38, 309–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, C. P.Your church can grow: Seven signs of a healthy church. Glendale: Regal Books, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walrath, D. A.Leading churches through change. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wicker, A., & Mehler, A. Assimilation of new members in a large or small church.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1971,55, 151–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willie, C. Public policy and religious research: Methods and techniques.Review of Religious Research, 1972,13(3), 162–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yinger, J. M.The scientific study of religion. New York: Macmillan, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, 43403, Bowling Green, Ohio

    Kenneth I. Pargament, William Silverman, Steven Johnson, Ruben Echemendia & Susan Snyder

Authors
  1. Kenneth I. Pargament
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. William Silverman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Steven Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ruben Echemendia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Susan Snyder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors express their gratitude to those congregations which participated in this project. Particular thanks also go to Paul Schubert of the Psychological Studies and Consultation Program in Detroit. June Hahn and Forrest Tyler provided helpful reviews of this manuscript. This project was supported by a Faculty Research Committee award at Bowling Green State University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pargament, K.I., Silverman, W., Johnson, S. et al. The psychosocial climate of religious congregations. Am J Commun Psychol 11, 351–381 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00894054

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00894054

Keywords

Search

Navigation