Judeo-Christian Perspectives on Psychology: Human Nature, Motivation, and Change [Hardcover]

William R. Miller (Author), Harold D. Delaney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2005

Discusses how the dominant models within psychology compare and contrast with a Judeo-Christian view of the individual, and asks how psychological research and practice might differ if informed by this perspective.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 329 pages
• Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition (January 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591471613
• ISBN-13: 978-1591471615
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. William R. Miller is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico. Fundamentally interested in the psychology of change, he has focused in particular on the development, testing, and dissemination of behavioral treatments for addictions. He maintains an active interest in pastoral counseling and the integration of spirituality and psychology. The Institute for Scientific Information lists him as one of the world's most cited scientists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful and provoking call to action..., January 16, 2005

By 

Nichole R. Nicholls (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Judeo-Christian Perspectives on Psychology: Human Nature, Motivation, and Change (Hardcover)

It is both necessary and beneficial for promoting the uniqueness and maturation of the field of psychology that issues of religion and spirituality be embraced by research psychologists and clinicians alike. This theme is the central message of Judeo-Christian Perspectives, an excellent text edited by Bill Miller and Harold Delaney. Encompassing a wide variety of topics from self-control to sexuality to struggles of the soul, this book demonstrates that psychology cannot do justice to the study of the person without examining the contributions and influences of religion. Using Jewish and Christian ideology, scriptures, and practices, the authors explore how current topics and research pursuits in psychology (including volition, motivation, personality, moral and spiritual development, sexuality, health and well-being, and personal change) might be broadened and advanced by acknowledging and integrating these spiritual perspectives. The book describes the crossroads at which psychology and religion currently stand, and it provides both theoretical considerations and practical recommendations to incorporate Jewish and Christian perspectives into psychological theory and research.

Judeo-Christian Perspectives provides an empirically-supported examination of the religion-psychology interface, suggesting that both assimilation and accommodation may be required to fully explore the nature of human beings. It is not written by or for a singular audience (e.g., orthodox Jews, evangelical Christians), but instead includes a diverse authorship that aims to reach an even more diverse field. Drawing from a wealth of scholarly research, this book proposes that psychology must move beyond the reductionism and materialism that has characterized much of its history in order to fulfill its namesake as "the study of the human psyche." Psychologists, regardless of their personal religious beliefs, have both an obligation and an opportunity to consider the impact of Judeo-Christian beliefs on their empirical pursuits and clinical practice. In light of the fact that a significant majority of Americans consider religious faith to be the most important influence in their lives, the integration of psychology and religion cannot be reduced to checking off a box on a demographic survey or other simplistic attempts to incorporate spirituality. The volume by Miller and Delaney goes beyond a basic consideration of religious factors to propose a collaborative dialogue or even a deeper integration of Judeo-Christian beliefs with psychology. The resulting effort is not a uniform research proposal (as even the various chapter authors have different conceptualizations and recommendations), but a challenge to the field to deliberately create opportunities for religious perspectives to influence and inform the whole of psychological study.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent contribution to religious studies, December 9, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Judeo-Christian Perspectives on Psychology: Human Nature, Motivation, and Change (Hardcover)

Judeo-Christian Perspectives On Psychology: Human Nature, Motivation, And Change is a selection of essays by learned individuals grounded in the 2001 challenge the Pew Charitable Trust made to psychology, among seven other academic disciplines, to show how dominant models of human nature compare and contrast with the Judeo-Christian view of the individual. Covering such topics as the spiritual dimension of reality, the importance of the freedom to make choices and be held responsible for the outcomes, the potential for personal transformation above and beyond rational decision making, and much more, these scholarly, extensively researched and annotated discussions open a window into higher con-templation of the nature of humanity itself as perceived through the twin windows faith and the science of the mind. An excellent contribution to religious studies and psychological existential debate shelves.