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Examples of psychology of religion
Christian psychology perspective
Examples of psychology of religion
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Religion and Personality
The consideration of religion and personality from a psychological perspective logically seems to stem from the desire to evaluate correlations to increase the understanding of humanity and potentially improve human development or well-being. The findings from research conducted as well as the challenges associated with the inquiry of the relationship of religion and personality serve to inform our understandings.
Personality trait perspective
The association of religion personality has been investigated primarily from the perspective of personality trait research. Research in this area typically seeks to show the association of broadly defined personality traits and religiosity. Different personality trait systems and factors and different definitions of religiosity have been used, including worship attendance, prayer, and dimensions of spirituality. Frequently research has centered on three factors developed by H.J. Eysenck; extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism or on the Big Five factors of personality; openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism and also on Catell’s sixteen factors of personality and their relationships with religiosity.
Three Factors
Based on analysis of research of his own and that conducted by others, Michel Eysenck concluded in 1998 that no solid evidence exists to show a correlation between religion and extraversion and neuroticism, while evidence did manage to indicate a negative relationship between religion and psychoticism. Further, there was no determination of the definition of the source of the relationship, meaning whether low-psychotic personalities are attracted to religion, or whether religion has an impact on levels of psychot...
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...rstanding and because they have been exploited as labels that create bias, especially so in the realm of education. There are other perceptions by which the associations of religion and personality can be viewed that are growing in popularity. One such considers both personality and religion from the evolutionary angle. This small body of research that has developed primarily in the last decade explains that religion is a byproduct of mechanisms that evolved for other purposes and is expressed because of interactions in the environment and other cognitive processes (Kirkpatrick, 1999). Whether the pendulum of popular theory swings from trait based research and Western ideals to biologically based research encompassing a combination of philosophies, we can conclude only that questions about the association of religion and personality will become increasingly complex.
“And of clay are we created” is a heart-wrenching short story about a natural disaster that happened in Colombia written by Isabelle Allende. It follows a journalist, Rolf Carle, and a young girl called Azucena. Rolf Carle is the protagonist of the story. He goes through quite a lot in the story. Let’s start with what type of character he is. Rolf is both a round and dynamic character. He changes quite dramatically throughout the story. Rolf goes from an emotionally detached journalist to a dejected and crushed man that can be barely recognizable. This change is caused by his conflicts and is presented clearly all through the story. His internal conflict is him trying to forget his past and trying to fight his inner demons. The writer reveals to us in the story that Rolf had a horrific past.
Religion is considered as a pervasive force in this world. It shapes people as to how they behave and interact with almost everything present in the society. Influencing behavior, character formations, ideals, policies, standards are just among the dimensions and societal perspectives affected and impacted by religion. Because of these applications and implications in human lives and existence, religion should be understood deeply, particularly, on how it affects the world. Looking at the American perspective of the term "religion," it could be simply
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity: A Revised and Amplified Edition, with a New Introduction, of the Three Books, Broadcast Talks, Christian Behaviour, and Beyond Personality. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Print.
A framework of five models is shared: Enemies, Spies, Colonialists, Neutral Parties, and Allies. The Enemies model either associates no relationship between Christianity and psychology. The Spies model focuses on what works best for them from both Christianity and psychology. Colonialists use psychology only to the degree that it fits theology. Neutral Parties model holds that psychology and theology are independent with possible correlation between findings of the two, however that is about as far as one discipline may encroach on the other. Allies, the model considered by Entwistle, acknowledges that while psychology and theology are separate, they are still dependent, based upon the underlying unity of truth of God’s written word and His Works (Entwistle, 2010). The underpinning of the integrative approach to psychology and Christianity appears to be that of anthropology; this may be seen in the two books, God g...
David Entwistle's (2010) Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is geared more towards Christians with conservative evangelical views and provides the reader an outline to different worldview disputes and truth-seeking groundwork that surround the connection that underlies psychology and theology. In addition to analyzing the possible connection of psychology and theology, Entwisle discusses the consideration of integrating Christian faith with the practice of psychology. “Christian understandings of person-hood, the purpose of human life, our need for God, and the ethical teachings of Christian faith are integral to psychology, not merely parallel to it” (p. 199). Entwistle’s viewpoint on this matter is stated clearly. He believes that it is necessary for theology and psychology be integrated in order to fully understand human nature.
Throughout this essay I will demonstrate how religion has played a role in the lives of humans as well as explicate the reasoning behind the true nature of the creation of religion by a psychopath.
For many decades, the cult phenomenon has fascinated the masses. A cult is an organization with deviant beliefs and practices, and is characterized by the apparent life-time membership of its participants. It seems to be very popular among troubled teenagers and adults. The psychology behind why some people are more susceptible to the charms and the lure of being in a cult is not very widely researched or understood. Many people are concerned with cultist behavior and the effect that they have on the individuals involved, believing that they have been “brainwashed” into this lifestyle. This paper deals with cult mentality and how people become involved in certain religious and secular cults. It will explore the personality traits of current and ex-cult members as well as look at case studies of members of particular cults. The format of this paper will first look at some preexisting dispositions, the psychological effects while in the cult, and any short term or long term effects upon leaving the cult, as well as some treatment options.
...en civilization and the individual. Living in a nation still recovering from a brutally violent war (Germany), Freud began to criticize organized religion as a collective neurosis, or mental disorder. Freud, a strong proponent of atheism, argued that religion tamed asocial instincts and created a sense of community because of the shared set of beliefs. This undoubtedly helped a civilization. However, at the same time organized religion also exacts an enormous psychological cost to the individual by making him or her perpetually subordinate to the primal figure embodied by God.
There are thousands upon thousands of theories about why human beings need religion, one of the most popular being that we are sheep and will always need a Shepard, leader or set of rules to follow. This theory was tested by a team of psychological scientists in Ontario, Canada, by assessing whether or not religious beliefs had an effect on ones self control. The results were somewhat
In the short story, “And of Clay Are We Created” written by Isabel Allende, a reporter named Rolf finds himself alone with a small girl, Azucena, of whom he tries to save from a mudslide. As tragedy strikes, he finds himself staying by her side until help arrives. His darkest secrets creep out of the dark as he begins to tell the girl stories from his childhood. In the end, he lets her sink into the mud as she closes her eyes to fall into a peaceful sleep that becomes the end of her life. The theme of the story is that as a person, no one can move on if they have not taken care of their personal demons or past that haunts them. The author shows multiple forms of literary devices within the story, such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, and imagery, to form the theme of the story.
As we all know, self esteem is an important aspect of living a happy and healthy life. Religion is one of the reasons that some individuals find peace and happiness within themselves, and gives them a heightened sense of well being (Fagan). Obtaining a membership within a religious organization has shown to decrease stress from work related problems, along with elevating a person 's coping skills. This is because they frequently join together in prayer, support of one another, and their religious practices, all while assessing their situations through a religious outlook
" Religion is not just a social, cultural, political, or ideological factor; instead it finds its power in the personal chambers of the soul of the individual. Within the soul we discover the source of the private motivation that forms perceptions and behavior ( pg 7, Rediscovering the Kingdom)."
Kutcher, E., Bragger, J., Rodriguez-Srednicki, O, & Masco, J., (2010). The role of religiosity in
THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION. (2009). Journal of Psychology and Theology, 37(1), 72. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from ProQuest Religion database. (Document ID: 1675034711).