The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach (2nd Edition) [Hardcover]

Ralph W. Hood Jr. (Author), Bernard Spilka (Author), Bruce Hunsberger (Author), Richard Gorsuch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572301163 | ISBN-13: 978-1572301160 | Publication Date: August 2, 1996 | Edition: 2nd

This volume presents the most comprehnsive survey of the empirical literature on the psychology of religion available today. Like its predecesor, the second edition of The Psychology of Religion emphasises scientific work that is moving the psychology of religion into the mainstream of academic psychology, rather than the broad interpretive and conceptual discussions of religion. Ideally structured as a text, the volume's chapters each integrate findings according to theory or theories that best illuminate them, allowing instructors the flexibility to assign any or all of the chapters according to the design of their courses. Completely revised and updated, this second edition incorporates data on the impact of the family and schools into an expanded chapter on religious socialization, and also includes a new discussion of religion and coping. Throughout, the text is greatly enhanced by the wealth of empirical research that has been conducted during the past decade.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This text makes my short list in the psychology of religion. Empirical in orientation, yet mindful of the reductionistic pitfalls of empiricism, the authors, all seasoned veterans comprising an abridged Who's Who in the psychology of religion, provide an impressive comprehensive study. Thorough, yet concise; sophisticated, yet readable and engaging. A decided improvement over what was a good first edition, this volume will be strategically placed within arms-reach. Two thumbs up." --Peter C. Hill, PhD, Grove City College

"The Psychology of Religion is much more than a textbook. While it provides an excellent introduction to the field for advanced undergraduate and graduate psychology students, it should also be mandatory reading for anthropology and sociology of religion students. The authors focus on psychology but never lose sight of the larger context that frames religion. It is also a 'must' for every serious scholar of religion's library, serving as an encyclopedic reference and providing the makings of annotated bibliographies on scores of topics. The authors not only have processed significant findings on a wide range of issues, but have shared their insight on future research needs. A most remarkable book." --Margaret M. Poloma, PhD, Sociology Department, The University of Akron

"After nearly a century of neglect, the psychology of religion is experiencing a wave of renewed interest, in large part due to the pioneering work of Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch. Their text, encyclopedic in breadth, takes the reader on a tour of the fascinating and myriad forms and functions of religion. It explores the implications of the spiritual dimension for the full range of human functioning across the lifespan. The authors tackle sensitive subjects such as cults, conversion, mental disorders, and sexual abuse among clergy in even-handed fashion. The most comprehensive, empirically oriented text in the field; their book is an essential reference and guide for the serious student of religious life.

"It should be widely used in advanced undergraduate courses and graduate seminars in the psychology of religion. It should also be an indispenable part of the libraries of social scientists, religious leaders, and mental health professionals." --Ken Pargament, PhD, Bowling Green State University

"For a complete examination of empirical research on religion, there is none better than Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch (1996)." --Michael E. Nielsen, Contemporary Psychology

About the Author

Ralph W. Hood Jr., Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. A past president of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association and a recipient of its William James Award, he is a former editor of the International Journal of the Psychology of Religion and the current editor of The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Bernard Spilka, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Denver, is past president of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association and a recipient of its William James Award. He formerly served as vice-president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and president of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association and the Colorado Psychological Association.

Bruce Hunsberger, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Widely published, he is a recipient of the William James award for research of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association.

Richard Gorsuch, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the Graduate School of Psychology of Fuller Theological Seminary, is a past president of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association, a recipient of its William James Award, and a former editor of The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 546 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 2nd edition (August 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572301163
• ISBN-13: 978-1572301160
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things Everyone Should Know!, July 5, 2002

By 

Lynne H. Schultz (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach (Hardcover)

Everyone should own this book. Many people make assumptions about religion, such as its effect on people's moral behavior for instance, without actually taking the time to find out if their assumptions are true. (As it turns out, level of religiousity including atheism is not a good predictor of whether or not someone will engage in helping behavior, or cheat on an exam, for instance.) Instead of repeating prejudices and inventing wild armchair theories, this book describes actual experiments and other research studies concerning a wide variety of topics concerning religion, in an objective, unbiased fashion. One interesting finding is that religious fundamentalists as a group are the most prejudiced toward all minority groups, while atheists are the least so. Is it the fault of religion? Not that simple! The authors explain that since the scores of mainstream Christians on measures of prejudice turn out to be much more similar to the atheists, and since fundamentalists also score very high on measures of authoritarianism, it's authoritarianism that leads to prejudice. However, these particular subtopics are just a tiny sliver of what this book actually covers.

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entheogens: Professional Listing, April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

"The Psychology of Religion" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy" http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy

1 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entheogens: Professional Listing, April 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

"The Psychology of Religion" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy" http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy