Poloma, Margaret M.

Margaret M. Poloma is Research Professor and Professor Emerita in the Sociology Department at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Poloma is Co-Director of a $2.3 million research project on the relationship between perceived interactions with God’s love and benevolent service to others.

Exploring Neglected Dimensions of Religion in Quality of Life Research

1991 0-7734-9672-6
Based on analysis of 560 telephone interviews with randomly selected adults from the Akron, OH area, the results of this survey clearly demonstrate the importance of religion in accounting for the differences in quality of life, and the need to include multiple religiosity measures in assessing the impact of religion on well-being.

Sociological Study of the Great Commandment in Pentecostalism: The Practice of Godly Love as Benevolent Service

2009 0-7734-3902-1
This sociological study focuses on the Christian “Great Commandment”—loving and knowing God’s love and then reaching out to love others. Empirical results challenge conventional understandings of altruism and suggest pathways for increasing compassionate love in the United States and beyond. This book will be useful to scholars in a variety of disciplinary specialties with an interest in altruism, religious experience, or attempts to integrate theology and social science