The Sociology of Prayer: Dimensions and Mechanisms

The sociology of prayer has a long history and routinely stresses the centrality to religious belief ritual solidarity. Still, we have struggled clearly define parameters various components this ubiquitous practice. Drawing from comprehensive literature review research, propose that there are four conceptually distinct dimensions private experience which vary across cultures traditions; they (1) quantity prayer, (2) style (3) purpose (4) targets. Our proposed measures these offer researchers framework better theorize investigate social mechanisms produce variation in as well individual outcomes prayer. In particular, discuss how each dimension fits within specific theoretical framings test extent emotional, rational, behavioral elements matter outcomes.