1. How does primary religious socialization take place? How does religious socialization differ with respect to different religious groups? Also, what differences are found in simple and complex societies?
2. How does religious socialization relate to individual meaning, belonging, and identity? How are the social institutions of the family and religion similar in their functions with respect to meaning, belonging, and identity?
3. What are "rites of passage"? What are their most important characteristics and functions? Why are they necessary in any culture? Identify areas of need in contemporary American society for new rites of passage.
4. What is religious conversion from a sociological perspective? What are the three types of religious conversions as described by McGuire? Describe and give examples of each.
5. What is "Brainwashing?" What is "Thought Reform" or "Mind Control?" What is "Deprogramming?" How would a sociologist explain all of these phenomena?
6. What is the process by which people experience religious conversion? If one understands or discovers a "typical" process by which religious conversion takes place, does that make the experience any less real?
7. What is religious commitment? Is commitment an event or a process? Explain. How does religious commitment take place? How do religious groups encourage and facilitate religious commitment?

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