Cognitive rigidity and religious fundamentalism

[Jerusha]

Just doing a bit of research on the subject. I believe the relationship is circular, but what are your opinions?

For research, I googled religious-fundamentalism-biblical literalism-cognitive-rigidity. Still in the process of goin through the hits. Lots of information out there.

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[SedesDomi]

Just doing a bit of research on the subject. I believe the relationship is circular, but what are your opinions?

For research, I googled religious-fundamentalism-biblical literalism-cognitive-rigidity. Still in the process of goin through the hits. Lots of information out there.

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Theology recapitulates Psychology.

That is, one’s theology reflects ones psychology. A rigid psychology produces a rigid theology. (Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with that.)

 

[Jerusha]

Theology recapitulates Psychology.

That is, one’s theology reflects ones psychology. A rigid psychology produces a rigid theology. (Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with that.)

Yeah-- separating theology and psychology into two separate disciplines weakens both. Of courst, disciplinary fragmentation is broader than that-- we cannot neglect sociology, anthropology, history, literature, all those experiences which make up the individual.

Seems like there is more research on the subject in Australia than in States, for whatever reason.

 

[Jerusha]

Basically, learning is a process of assimilation, taking in of information. Retention of what one has learned is partially dependent upon giving it meaning, which is dependent upon the amount of information one has taken in previously, and what meaning has been given it.

If new information comes in that is contradictory to what previous structure has perviously been built, it is either ignored, or the previous learning accommodates (adapts) for the new learning.

In the case of information (in a religious- spiritual contet) that does not fit previous learning, one has to realize several things may be working. Fear that one might lose one’s salvation by adapting to the new learning. Stress at the process of re-building ones previous structures. For some, there may be an AHA! moment, in which previous structures are flipped around, and things fit. Others, with more serious problems, may experience increasing cognitive dissonance at an increasingly chaotic structure of belief, and become very rigid because of the fear and stress. New material is memorized, but fits nowhere. Then learning becomes a rote thing, and the human capacity for that is generally limited.

Just a simple process of cognitive restructuring. :newidea: Shouldn’t be any problem with that, should there?

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I think cognitive rigidity can be found in the adherent’s of many religions. (Probably fewer in Friends meetings and Unitarian Universalists). Fundamentalism can appeal to that type of person.

 

[bpbasilphx]

(Probably fewer in Friends meetings and Unitarian Universalists).

**Not necessarily. There is such a thing as liberal fundamentalism, too.

As one old priest said, “Hell hath no fury like a liberal scorned.”**

 

[Pug]

What is cognitive rigidity, exactly? Do you mean this, or something else:

cognitive rigidity/inflexibility:
perseveration, “sticky thinking”
inability to tolerate uncertainty
difficulty with transitions or changes,
restricted interests (jig saw puzzles, word searches)
collecting or hoarding nonfood items
poor judgment
egocentrism/ difficulty taking another’s point of view

 

[Jerusha]

cognitive rigidity/inflexibility:
perseveration, “sticky thinking” Perseveration on one or several scriptures with inability to look at other scriptures which provide balance
inability to tolerate uncertainty Inability to see the possibility of more than one valid interpretation of a scripture
difficulty with transitions or changes, Inability to modify one’s beliefs.
restricted interests (jig saw puzzles, word searches) Reading restricted to Bible

poor judgment Following religious leaders no matter what they do
egocentrism/ difficulty taking another’s point of view Judgmental attitudes

Exactly, good list of traits-- I added examples

 

[inthecloud]

I think fundamentalists are self selecting.

They are rigid and symplistic minds and get atracted by symplistic religions.
And they often get full of anger and hate becasue the cannot handle change and dissent without frustration that is reinforced by the group of like minded people and theology.

 

[Jerusha]

I think fundamentalists are self selecting.

They are rigid and symplistic minds and get atracted by symplistic religions.
And they often get full of anger and hate becasue the cannot handle change and dissent without frustration that is reinforced by the group of like minded people and theology.

Good point. They build walls to protect themselves and their beliefs from those who do not believe exactly as they do.

 

[Syele]

Exactly, good list of traits-- I added examples

I have met a few Catholics with that list of traits too. Except maybe for “reading restricted to the Bible”, though I never met ANYONE who restricts all reading to the Bible

 

[Jerusha]

Perhaps reading restricted to church-approved authors? That will cover KJO people.

Thanks, I got the blurb finished, anyway.

Oh, yeah, certainly not restricted to Baptists, Muslims, and Mormons.

 

[Syele]

Perhaps reading restricted to church-approved authors? That will cover KJO people.

Thanks, I got the blurb finished, anyway.

Oh, yeah, certainly not restricted to Baptists, Muslims, and Mormons.

hmm KJO people restrict what version of the bible to read but I have never seen any church approved reading lists for them for other books/reading materials.

I have seen such lists of approved reading materials for Mormons. But definitely not Baptists.

 

[Verisimilitude]

Just doing a bit of research on the subject. I believe the relationship is circular, but what are your opinions?

I think they are parallel more than circular. If the understanding is correct the rigidity in reason is understandable. Our culture/society today has made them less distinctive- or maybe they always were, but for the fundamentalist it is a matter of interpretation.

The physicist can argue the existance of gravity with mathmatics and examples, but the theologin has a harder time with the existance/nature of God. Cathoilcs point to the Gospels as examples of Christ, while Mohammedans point to the Quran as reason to dismiss the Gospels and OT. Mormons and JW scriptures also conflict with the others so cogniitive reason would determine those that disagree with each other can not all be correct.

I do not think it reasonable to conclude that ‘some’ truth is evident in all faiths for where they agree there is no dispute but where they differ makes them a unique thing. All Fords are vehicles but not all vehicles are Fords kind of thing. Ford may also make a hot air ballon but the topic is vehicles not manufactures.

Fudamentalists are invested in and bound to the historical fundamentals of faith and not reason in its understanding. Cognitive thinking, rigid or otherwise allows for reason to change ones mind when the fundamentals are proved in error.

 

[Jerusha]

Here is what I got:

On Learning and Religious Fundamentalism

In American history, many minimally educated pastors encouraged their own versions of religion, based upon a literal reading and individualized interpretation of the King James Bible. These pastors denied the concept of original sin, teaching, instead, baptism for the sins of the individual. Thus people became convinced of their sins, got baptized, and fell into sin again, were convinced that their first salvation and baptism didn’t take, then got re-saved and baptized again and again in an endless cycle. Sins were seen as actions against the Ten Commandments, and condemnation of these sins, without realization that the predisposition to sin, or fallen human nature, was the problem. And, one aspect of this predisposition to sin is the concept of race. This concept of race leads to racism, which is the underpinning of slavery, as it existed in the Americas.
Such a rigid, punitive religion, designed to keep people submitted to temporal powers, encourages rigid, punitive child rearing. Many people are therefore raised within a religiously induced cognitive rigidity, characterized by: 1. Perseverations on one group of scriptures while ignoring other sets which provide balance. 2. Inability to see the possibility of more than one interpretation of a scripture. 3. Inability to modify one’s beliefs out of fear of going to hell. 4. Reading restricted to church-approved authors, 5. Following church leaders no matter what they do or require. 6. Judgmental attitudes. 7. Black and white, all or nothing thinking. 8. Socializing only with people of the same religious persuasion.

more…

 

[Jerusha]

1. Inability to deal with new information, at best, changing it to meet expectations. 10. Dwelling on “End Times” theology. 11. Inability to question one’s beliefs. 12. Perception of God as an abusive parent. Such a rigid belief system does not allow the child or adult freedom of thought and speech and action, and naturally discourages full cognitive development of the individual.
   Compounding this, when a child or an adult of a stigmatized ethnic group displays intellectual competency, this becomes threatening to the individuals of the privileged class, and punitive measures are taken. Thus we see shy, but very competent children of stigmatized ethnicity being unwilling to show their true intellectual abilities, out of fear of being seen as a “show-off”, or “too smart for their own good”. Parents often warn their children of the consequences of such behavior outside of the family environment, from a desire to protect them from the negative consequences of competency.
   The academic disciplines, as they are conceptualized by our educational system, also prevent people from developing their full ability.

 

[Jerusha]

. Theology is separated from philosophy is separated from sociology, is separated from psychology, is separated from history, is separated from anthropology, is separated from literature, is separated from the sciences, and so on. As learning occurs, people are discouraged from establishing linkages between various disciplines. This impairs learning.
In Piagetian theory, learning occurs as the individual assimilates information. The more that information can be attached with meaning to previous learning, the longer that information is retained, imprinted through being used. 1. New information can be ignored if it conflicts too seriously with the belief system. 2. It can become rote learning, which for most people is not retained long. 3. It can be attached inadequately, again, not being of much use. 4. Previous learning is adjusted to provide places for attachment. In Piagetian theory, this is called accommodation. Other theorists call it a paradigm shift, especially when it is radical. 4. Previous learning is adequate and relevant for easy attachment. (Adam, 2007)
When the child is taught cultural patterns at home that do not connect well with modern society, learning is impaired, because the child cannot adequately accommodate new learning. The required previous structure is not there, and cognitive dissonance, which leads to anxiety and anger, comes into play. This impairs learning for children from fundamentalist Baptist families, conservative LDS families, families from other denominations, and minority children who are being taught the truth at home.

 

[Jerusha]

I do not think it reasonable to conclude that ‘some’ truth is evident in all faiths for where they agree there is no dispute but where they differ makes them a unique thing. All Fords are vehicles but not all vehicles are Fords kind of thing. Ford may also make a hot air ballon but the topic is vehicles not manufactures.

Fudamentalists are invested in and bound to the historical fundamentals of faith and not reason in its understanding. Cognitive thinking, rigid or otherwise allows for reason to change ones mind when the fundamentals are proved in error.

Good point. All a matter of choice. As some of our friends illustrate, there are times when that is very difficult. And as the “blurb” points out, it depends on how much one has invested in a faulty set of beliefs.

 

[Jerusha]

There was more to it, but I waas going too fast, and accidentally erased that section from this disk.

 

[Sepharad]

This thread seems intended to accuse fundamentalist Protestants of being mindless people who stick to a set of beliefs out of stubborness.

But I have encountered this type of mindset on this forum too, from some Catholics.