Individualism and religion : the impact of the individualist cultural tradition on religious beliefs and practices.

Individualism and its effect on American society has received a great amount of scholarly research. Researchers have established that individualism plays a large role in all areas of society. Using the dual process model of culture developed by Stephen Vaisey (2009) and data from waves I and III of the National Survey of Youth and Religion, this study investigates the role that individualism plays on religion. In examining the effect that an individualist cultural tradition has on religious attitudes and behaviors this study reveals that the shift in authority that takes place within this cultural tradition has a large influence on the subsequent religious behaviors and attitudes of the person.