The Pie: An Economics Podcast
Using Cellphone Data to Observe Religious Worship in the United States
Jun 25, 2024
Devin Pope, a Professor of Economics and Behavioral Science at the Booth School of Business, dives into the intriguing world of cellphone data and its insights on religious attendance in America. He reveals significant discrepancies between self-reported church attendance and actual participation, suggesting rates as low as 5%. The conversation touches on worship patterns across different faiths, the socioeconomic diversity within congregations, and how regular religious attendance might influence moral choices regarding nightlife activities. Fascinating insights emerge regarding the intersection of faith and community.
20:32
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Quick takeaways
- Cellphone data reveals that actual weekly church attendance in the U.S. is significantly lower than reported due to social desirability bias.
- The study highlights economic homogeneity among congregants, showing diversity varies by religious affiliation, particularly between mosques and Latter-day Saint services.
Deep dives
Discrepancy Between Survey Data and Actual Attendance
Surveys indicate that approximately 20 to 25 percent of Americans claim to attend religious services weekly; however, actual attendance data suggests that the figure is only around 5 percent. This discrepancy highlights the influence of social desirability bias, where individuals may overstate their religious participation to conform to societal expectations. Researchers utilized cell phone data to track when individuals entered places of worship, revealing that while 73 percent of Americans visit a religious site at least once a year, consistent weekly attendance is dramatically lower. The study emphasizes the limitations of survey methodologies in accurately capturing religious observance behaviors.
