ISSEP-2025-12
GRANT ID#: ISSEP-2025-12
GRANT TITLE: Religious Residue: Examining How the Religious ‘Dones’ Perceive Suffering
GRANTEE: University of Birmingham
PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Shoko Watanabe
GRANT AMOUNT: USD $3,000
DURATION OF GRANT PROJECT: April 15, 2025 – Sept 1, 2026
Description of the Project
Executive summary:
People sometimes exhibit teleological reasoning by over-perceiving purpose in random events. This may happen when people are exposed to tragic events that make them wonder why there is suffering in the world. Prior research shows that religious people have greater tendency to reason teleologically than non-religious people. Relatedly, recent research has demonstrated that even after being “done” with religion, formerly religious people (Dones) report more religious beliefs/practices than those who have never affiliated with religion (Nevers). Yet Dones also report less religious beliefs/practices than those currently affiliated (Currents). In this pre-registered study, I examine the research question: Will this stair-stepped religious residue pattern be present in the way the people interpret tragic events? Specifically, I will conduct an experimental study to examine how the Currents, Dones, and Nevers may differentially evaluate teleological claims and leaders who make such claims in the aftermath of a tragedy. I will conduct an online experiment with 3 (Currents vs. Dones vs. Nevers) × 2 (teleological vs. non-teleological explanation of disaster) × 2 (religious vs. secular target) fully between-participant design. The religious identity status (Currents vs. Dones vs. Nevers) is a measured variable, while the explanation type (teleological vs. non-teleological) and target type (religious vs. secular) are manipulated variables. Participants will then rate their views of suffering and inference of purpose.
Itemized budget:
Grant funding will cover the expenses detailed below:
The study is estimated to be about 8 minutes, such that the cost per participant is $1.60; with 1380 participants and with 33% Prolific’s fee, the total amount for data collection is $2,944.
The total amount approved for this project is USD $2,944.