Entry:

Iannaccone, Laurence R., "Religious Practice: A Human Capital Approach," Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 29 (1990), 297-314.


Abstract:

Survey data confirms many of the predictions of an economic model of religious behavior, e.g. conversions are concentrated in youth and religious mobility decreases with age. Switching religions and religious intermarriage occurs between similar denominations in order to preserve the value of their human capital.

GSS Years:

1973-1977, 1983-1987

Other Data Sets:

NORC 1963, 1974;

GSS Codebook Variables referenced by document:

Variable Name

Variable Label

 
 
RELIG

RS RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE

RELIG16

RELIGION IN WHICH RAISED

DENOM

SPECIFIC DENOMINATION

DENOM16

DENOMINATION IN WHICH R WAS RAISED

OTHER

OTHER PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS

OTH16

OTHER PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS

RACE

RACE OF RESPONDENT

AGE

AGE OF RESPONDENT

MARITAL

MARITAL STATUS

ATTEND

HOW OFTEN R ATTENDS RELIGIOUS SERVICES

TITHING

HOW MUCH DOES R GIVE TO RELIGION

EDUC

HIGHEST YEAR OF SCHOOL COMPLETED

INCOME

TOTAL FAMILY INCOME

SPREL

SPOUSES RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE

SPDEN

"SPECIFIC DENOMINATION

SPOTHER

OTHER PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS

SEX

RESPONDENTS SEX

POSTLIFE

BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH

BIBLE

FEELINGS ABOUT THE BIBLE

PAATTEND

HOW OFTEN PA ATTENDED RELIGIOUS SERVICES

MAATTEND

HOW OFTEN MA ATTENDED RELIGIOUS SERVICES

PRAY

HOW OFTEN DOES R PRAY