The Effect of Religiosity on the Optimism Level

Religiosity, in its broadest sense is a comprehensive sociological term used to refer to the numerous aspects of religious activity, dedication, and belief (religious doctrine). In its narrowest sense, religiosity deals more with how religious a person is, and less with how a person is religious (in practicing certain rituals, revering certain symbols, or accepting certain doctrines about deities & after life). Aaptimism is a disposition or tendency to look on the more favourable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favourable outcome. The belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of religiosity on the optimism level. Accordingly a group of 60 people were selected as a sample, which includes both males and females above age of 20 from school, colleges and bank employees from Jaipur. They belong to both middle and high socioeconomic status. A life orientation test and a attitude towards religion scale were used as a tools. The findings shows that the religious and optimism level are highly positively correlated, which means the optimism level is high in those who score high in religiosity and there is considerable difference between the optimism level of religious and non-religious people.