Cognitive complexity, religious cognition, cognitive development, and religious judgment: An empirical study of relationships amongst “normal” and “gifted” young people

This study examined whether level of cognitive complexity in religious cognition, using measures rooted in the Model of Hierarchical Complexity, mediates the relationship between level of general cognitive development, and religious judgment, in children and adolescents. The study was conducted with 189 children and adolescents drawn from Catholic schools in France. General cognitive development level was measured using the WISC and WAIS. Level of cognitive complexity in religious cognition was measured using the Religious Cognition Questionnaire: PastorParishioner Scenario (RCQ). Religious judgment levels were measured using the Religious Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ). Results indicate that the relationship between IQ and religious judgment is mediated by level of complexity in religious cognition. The results provide further empirical evidence for the conceptual validity and research utility of the Model of Hierarchical Complexity in the domain of religious cognition, and the power of the concept of complexity in religious cognition for explaining relationships between general cognitive development using IQ measures and other domains where the judgment of social, moral, and philosophical issues are concerned. The results also provide further empirical evidence for the distinctive, and relatively advanced, capacity of gifted young people to think critically about religious and philosophical issues.