Understanding the cognitive foundations of religious belief is one of the central questions in the psychology of religion. Two tendencies frequently discussed in this context are analytic and teleological thinking. Analytic thinking refers to the disposition to override intuitive responses in favor of effortful reasoning. Teleological thinking, in turn, refers to the tendency to interpret events and experiences as purposeful. Previous research has reported a negative association between analytic thinking and religiosity, whereas teleological thinking shows a positive relationship with religiosity.
In the present study, we examined whether teleological thinking mediates the relationship between analytic thinking and religiosity. Specifically, we drew on the confirmatory subsample (n = 521) of a nationally representative sample of Polish adults (N = 1039) collected for the purpose of scale validation. Analytic thinking was assessed using the Cognitive Reflection Test, religiosity with the Centrality of Religiosity Scale, and teleological thinking using a newly developed self-report scale.
Mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect of analytic thinking on religiosity through teleological thinking. After accounting for the mediator, the direct association between analytic thinking and religiosity was non-significant. Approximately 63% of the total association between analytic thinking and religiosity was explained by teleological thinking. The mediating role of teleology was observed across all examined dimensions of religiosity, particularly religious beliefs and religious experience. Importantly, the positive association between teleological thinking and religiosity was replicated in a second measurement wave.
These findings indicate that teleological reasoning may play a central role in connecting analytic cognitive style with religiosity.