Religion and Psychology Essay example - 729 Words

Religious faith is important to most Americans, with approximately 95% of Americans reporting belief in God and about 50% being active in church organizations (Gallup Castelli, 1989). Despite the widespread prevalence of religious beliefs in society, some researchers have maintained that religion and religious beliefs are often neglected in psychological research (Jones, 1994; Plante, 1996). This neglect stems from a couple of different factors. First, it is difficult for psychologists to overcome the fact that believers in many religions claim to have unique access to the truth. Secondly, truly theological questions such as the existence of God or the nature of an afterlife are often ignored by scientists. This may be in part a†¦show more content†¦For example, William James studied religious experience and suggested that the spiritual process works to curtail peoples negative behaviors (James, 1936). For James, spirituality helps individuals recognize their own eart hly suffering as either a consequence of individual pathology or addictive behavior, or both. When people begin to criticize or consciously reject problematic individual behaviors as a permanent way of being, then they become open to the possibility of rising to a higher awareness. This higher awareness of his or her own behavior is then integrated as a part of the persons psychology. James was already considering the role religion plays in a persons consciousness early in the twentieth century. Alfred Adler, another pioneer of psychology, believed that our ideas about God are important indicators of how we view the world (Ansbacher H., Ansbacher R., 1956). According to Adler these ideas have changed over time as our vision of the world and our place in it has changed. Adler suggested religion was of importance because our view of God embodies our goals and directs our social interactions. Compared to science, Adler believed that religion was more advanced because it motivates people moreShow MoreRelatedPsychology, Religion, And Religion1397 Words   |  6 PagesPsychology and religion are two fields of inquiry that are intimately related despite not initially seeming so. Humans have been engaging in religious thought for as long as we know, and possibly since we were first capable of thought. Likewise, psychology is a deceptively old field; although psychology as so named is a recent invention, philosophers have been asking the same questions the modern field does for centuries. Furthermore, both psychology and religion seek to address similar questionsRead MoreThe Psychology of Religion1187 Words   |  5 PagesIn terms of the psychology of religion, many thinkers have commented about the origins of religious belief. Some of these support these religious beliefs, some don’t. However it is first appropriate to establish whether or not they are actually making a valid comment on the subject of religion or not. Georg Hegel (1770–1831) was the initial scholar to step foot into this field. He redefined God by creating a character he often named ‘Spirit’. He attempted to make God sound theistic by giving GodRead MorePsychology and Religion1229 Words   |  5 Pagesthe practices involving psychology and religion in order to uphold the ethics code. There is a sensitivity level that must be exhibited by psychology professionals that practice traditional psychology in order to make clients feel comfortable and secure in the treatment setting. In addition, this essay explains the use of religion in non-traditional psychology and the professional manner according to the ethics code in which using non-traditional approaches involving religion should be used. Read MorePsychology of Religion1837 Words   |  8 PagesI believe that religion and spirituality play a major role in the understanding of human behavior. Religion and spirituality have been apart of human experience throughout the course of history, tapping into almost every aspect of life from cultural beliefs to the arts. Religion and spirituality encompass a world that goes beyond our general understanding of how and why by attaching a higher overall purpose and meaning that extends outside of our lives here on earth. I do not believe that an adequateRead MoreReligion vs. Psychology1800 Words   |  8 PagesSpirituality and psychology are two complex subjects to discuss and they become even more complicated when you try to relate one to the other. Psychology deals with the processes of sense perception, thinking, learning, cognition, emotions and motivations, and personality, focusing on the behavior of individuals. Spirituality, on the other hand, is all inclusive. Spiritua lity is living ones life from the realization that the body/mind/ego personality we have been taught to identify with is justRead MoreClass Of Religion And Psychology Essay2317 Words   |  10 Pages Linda Chacko Class of Religion and Psychology Professor Heaney-Hunter Final Research Paper: Religion can be defined as a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance. It contains a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices that allow its followers to live their life a certain way. The world consists of 19 major religions, which are further subdivided into 270 larger groups. According to David Barrett et al, editor of the â€Å"World Christian EncyclopediaRead MorePsychology And Religion : West And East957 Words   |  4 PagesWhile preforming a psychoanalysis of religion and human development, Sigmund Freud questioned whether or not a person could be religious and mature at the same time. In Future of an Illusion, Freud came to a conclusion that one cannot be religious and mature at the same time. Religion stunts a person’s transition of becoming a mature adult. Whereas in Carl Jung’s Psychology and Religion: West and East, he believed that a person can be religious and mature at the simultaneously. Opposing, to Freud’sRea d MoreEssay on religion vs. psychology1766 Words   |  8 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Spirituality and psychology are two complex subjects to discuss and they become even more complicated when you try to relate one to the other. Psychology deals with the processes of sense perception, thinking, learning, cognition, emotions and motivations, and personality, focusing on the behavior of individuals. Spirituality, on the other hand, is all inclusive. â€Å"Spirituality is living ones life from the realization that the body/mind/ego personality we have beenRead MorePsychology Of Religion : The Mad, Holy And Demonic2878 Words   |  12 Pages VPR - 2209 Psychology of Religion: The Mad, Holy and Demonic Assessment 1: Essay (3,000 words) Question 4: What is the unconscious and what is its relevance in understanding religious belief or religious experience? Answer with reference to either Jung or Freud, or to both Jung and Freud. It is widely assumed that in the field of psychoanalytic theory there are only two major influential characters when discussing the effect and importance of religion on the unconscious, these characters beingRead MoreHamlet : Jungian Perspectives On Psychology And Religion1558 Words   |  7 Pagesunconscious contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of awareness but that nevertheless have a great influence on behavior. The influence of Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Gustav Jung’s work in analytical psychology has never been more prominent in texts than it is today. â€Å"Introversion and â€Å"extroversion† have become standard words. Most people are aware of the connection between the â€Å"individual psyche† and the â€Å"collective unconscious.† Many of us have secretly