University students’ perceptions of religion: A psychological analysis

Students’ ideas about religion were revealed. The method of limited associations was used. As a result, 900 associations were revealed, the structuring of which made it possible to single out 11 semantic groups. In students’ ideas, religion has the greatest number of associations with faith, prayer and God. Regarding the frequency of associations faith leads with a big advantage and acts as the center of the associative field. Students’ perceptions contain components characterizing the “big four” essential attributes of religion — faith, ritual experience, and behavior in accordance with religious norms. Religion in students’ perceptions is connected with the area of sacred.