Psychology of religiosity

Course objectives

To introduce students to the specific areas of psychology of religion with an emphasis on critical thinking about the relation between psychology and religion, and the complex relations among different experiences of religion and behaviour.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of religion and spirituality in the context of nurture, education, research and counselling

2. Analysis of the relation between psychological dimensions (cognition, motivation, personality) and religion/spirituality

3. Explain healthy and mature elements of religion and spirituality in the context of psychological counselling

4. Evaluation of research in the field of psychology of religion and spirituality

Course content

1. Religion in psychological perspective. Dimensions of religion/spirituality. Psychological correlates of beliefs.

2. Psychological Theories on religion and spirituality. Religion orientation and motivation. (1L+1S)

3. Religion phenomenon and neuroscience.

4. Religion in the person. Psychology of personality and religion behaviour.

5. Developmental psychology in the context of religion.

6. Religion of children and adolescents.

7. Pre-exam I

8. Religion and health, psychological well-being.

9. Psychological coping with stressful events and spirituality.

10. Psychological dimensions of repentance, forgiveness and confession.

11. Psychological dimensions of sins and sacrifice.

12. The role of religion behaviour in the context of counselling.

13. Healthy and unhealthy religiosity. Maturity and immaturity mechanisms.

14. Religion, conversion and spirituality transformation.

Lectures

Introduction

Psychological perspective

Prayer

Literature

Paloutzian, R. F. (2017). Invitation to the psychology of religion. New York: The Guilford Press.

Spilka, B., Hood, R. W. Jr. & Gorsuch, R. L. (2009). The psychology of religion: An empirical approach (Fourth Edition). Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall.

Spilka, B., & Ladd, K. L. (2012). The Psychology of Prayer: A Scientific Approach (1st ed.). Guilford Press.

Handouts, Scientific articles – online databases.