Psychological Type and Religious Affect

Abstract

A sample of 299 young people between the ages of 12 and 18 attending a week-long summer youth programme sponsored by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada completed the Adolescent form of the Francis Psychological Type Scales together with the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity. The data demonstrated that a more positive attitude toward Christianity was associated with a preference for feeling (rather than thinking) and with a preference for judging (rather than perceiving), and that retention rates were lower for extraverts and for intuitive types. The article concludes by recommending psychological type awareness courses within youth ministry training programmes to enhance understanding attrition and retention of young people within Christian activities.