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Article
Personality expectations and perceptions of Roman Catholic clergy members
Psychology
  • Thomas G. Plante, Santa Clara University
  • Marcus T. Boccaccini
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-1997
Publisher
Springer
Disciplines
Abstract

This study examined the expectations of Roman Catholic priests' personality characteristics. Personality measures (i.e., Symptom Check List-90-Revised, Weinberger Adjustment Inventory, Belief in Personal Control Scale, and several authordesigned measures) were administered to 102 undergraduate students. The subjects' perceptions of Roman Catholic priests' personality traits were examined by having the subjects complete the Personality Adjective Checklist (PACL) describing a typical Roman Catholic priest. These scores were compared to PACL scores from 12 successful applicants to the priesthood. Findings suggest that subjects tend to view Roman Catholic priests stereotypically as authority figures and that Catholic subjects view priests more positively than do non-Catholic subjects.

Comments

The final publication is available at Springer via http://doi.org/10.1007/BF02282658

Citation Information
Plante, T. G., & Boccaccini, M. (1997). Personality expectations and perceptions of Roman Catholic clergy members. Pastoral Psychology, 45, 301-315.