RESEARCH: Being Buddhist in Western Europe: Cognitive Needs, Prosocial Character, and Values

Abstract

Empirical evidence from a variety of monotheistic religious denominations allows for some solid conclusions regarding personality characteristics (prosociality), cognitive structure (need for closure), and importance of values (Schwartz's model) associated with religiousness. In this study, 105 Belgian Buddhists were administered the Need for Closure Scale, the Schwartz Value Survey, NEO-PI-R items measuring facets of agreeableness, and measures of investment in Buddhism. Similarly to other religions, participants with high investment in Buddhism tended to attribute low importance to hedonism, power, and achievement, and to value tradition, conformity, and benevolence, as well as to report high agreeableness. However, contrary to other studies, these participants were not high in need for closure and security, they did not depreciate self-direction and stimulation, and they valued universalism. The discussion integrates the findings into three main theoretical issues of the psychology of religious and spiritual personality: need for personal and social order, in-group limited or extended prosociality, and need for self-mastery.