Network Hubs and Opportunity for Complex Thinking Among Young British Muslims

• Published in: Journal for the scientific study of religion Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 573 - 595
• Main Author: Williams, Ryan J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: General subjects. History of religions. Religious anthropology; Group Norms; History and sciences of religions; Information Processing; integrative complexity; Leadership; Muslims; Network hubs; Networks; open-mindedness; Peer Relations; Peers; Religious forces; Religious influences; Religious leaders; small group leadership; Social Field Generator; social network analysis; Social networks; Studies in religion; United Kingdom; Young adults; Youth; Methodology; History of religions
• ISSN: 0021-8294; 1468-5906
• DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12050

This study examines whether individuals in a network esteem peers who think in integratively complex ways about religious issues in the context of a small-group educational course comprised of young British Muslims. Integrative complexity (IC) measures the degree to which an individual's information processing is characterized by (a) rigid, black-and-white thinking or (b) ability to recognize the validity of, and integrate, multiple perspectives. A novel measurement procedure was developed for this research called the Social Field Generator. Results from seven groups (n = 55) showed that (a) participants with levels of IC were described by their peers with more positive sentiment than their low-IC counterparts; (b) the higher the IC scores of participants, the closer peers felt toward them; and (c) the highest IC individuals were consistently selected as sources of advice, whereas the lowest IC individuals were not viewed as sources of advice. This research shows that within an educational environment aimed at promoting complex thinking, group processes and grassroots religious leadership can encourage higher levels of IC as a group norm.