Theory & Method
Psychology of Religion: An Overview of its History and Current Status
By , University of Essex (June 2008)
Sections: Theory & Method
Subjects: Religion, Theory and Method in Religion.
Periods: 1000 - 1999, 1900-1999, 2000 - present.
Key Topic: psychology of religion.
Abstract
The psychology of religion is a complex field involving a variety of approaches that have not always developed in clear relationship to one another. As an aid to orientation, this article aims to provide an overview of the history and current status of the psychology of religion. It discusses the early contexts and origins of psychology of religion; depth psychological approaches to religion, especially those of Freud and Jung; empirical approaches stemming from mainstream scientific psychology; and some ways in which religion and psychology have stood in a more reciprocal relationship to each other. Common issues addressed by the article in relation to these diverse approaches include methodology; the content of religion; the origin, development, and effects of religion; and evaluations – both the theories’ evaluations of religion and scholarly evaluations of the theories.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2008.00089.x
This article abstract has been viewed 2527 times.
Top 5 related articles
-
On Spirituality: Natural and Non-natural
By , Appalachian State University
(Vol. 3, October 2008)
Religion Compass -
Cognitive Science of Religion: What Is It and Why Is It?
By , University of Oxford
(Vol. 2, September 2007)
Religion Compass -
Ethics and Religion
By , University of Richmond
(Vol. 3, October 2008)
Religion Compass -
The Anthropology of Christianity
By , and , Reed College University of California, San Diego
(Vol. 3, October 2008)
Religion Compass -
The Comparative Method
By , University of Maine
(Vol. 3, July 2008)
Religion Compass
Top 5 Related Blackwell Reference Chapters
Contributors
Alister E. McGrath is Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, and Senior Research Fellow ...
Introduction
This New Dictionary of Religions has grown out of the Penguin Dictionary of Religions, first published ...
By JOHN R. HINNELLS
Introduction
What is meant by calling religious studies a discipline? According to one view, religious studies, to ...
By Robert A. Segal
Introduction to the First Edition
This Handbook is the product of scholarly collaboration on an international scale. It presents the conclusions ...
By JOHN R. HINNELLS
Abhidhamma
[xi] The content of the third part of the Buddhist scriptures (Tipitaka). Abhidhamma (Sanskrit abhidharma) ...