Cognitive and Social Influences on Faith and Belief Formation Among Baptist Pastors in the Lagos East Baptist Conference, Nigeria

Religious belief formation among clergy reflects complex interactions between individual cognitive processes and socially embedded influences. Although psychological research on religion has expanded considerably, empirical studies focusing on African clergy remain limited. This study examines cognitive and social influences on faith and belief formation among Baptist pastors in the Lagos East Baptist Conference, Nigeria, within established psychological frameworks. Drawing on dual-process models of cognition and social learning theory, a mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected using standardised measures of cognitive reflection, religious commitment, and perceived social influence, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews exploring faith narratives and belief development. Regression analyses indicated that both cognitive reflection and social reinforcement significantly predicted belief strength and stability, with social influence emerging as the strongest predictor. Thematic analysis further highlighted the central role of mentorship, communal validation, and reflective meaning-making in sustaining pastoral belief systems. By extending psychological research on religion to a non-Western clergy context, this study contributes to cross-cultural understanding of belief formation and aligns with the empirical and theoretical scope of the North American Journal of Psychology.