Four Brief Studies of Relations Between Postformal Thoughtand Non-Cognitive Factors: Personality, Concepts of God,Political Opinions, and Social Attitudes

摘要

This is a report of four studies extendingresearch on Complex Postformal Thought using the Post-formal Thought Scale (PTS) (Sinnott 1998a, b). In Study IPTS was studied in relation to personality as conceptualizedin the NEO Five Factor Model. Data from 82 participantsindicated that PTS is significantly related to the Openness toExperience and the Conscientiousness factors of the NEO.In Study II PTS was examined in relation to the Concept ofGod Scale to answer the question whether postformal andnon-postformal respondents were likely to hold differentgod concepts. Data from 50 participants indicated no rela-tionship between the two measures. In Study III PTS wasexamined in relation to political opinions using the newlycreated Political Opinion Survey. Data from 50 participantsdemonstrated no relation between the two tests. In Study IVPTS was studied in relation to the Attitudes Toward Les-bians and Gay Men Scale. Data from 112 participantsindicated that PTS was related to positive attitudes towardlesbians and gay men. Current conceptualizations of PTSdevelopment are used to interpret these findings.