Psychology and Religion : An Introduction [Paperback]

Michael Argyle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415189071 | ISBN-13: 978-0415189071 | Publication Date: February 2000 | Edition: 1

Michael Argyle's new book is an introduction to the psychology of religion from one of the world's most famous experimental psychologists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Argyle, a social psychologist of significant merit, has written an authoritative survey of recent developments in psychology's analysis of religion... the information and insights offered by Argyle concerning psychology, religion and the study of how they are related in human society constitute a valuable resource for profitable philosophical reflection at the end of the 20th century.
–International Philosophical Quarterly

...an authoritative survey of what we know about psychology and religion. It is very clear and readable, and reflects Michael Argyle's considerable reputation and experience.
–Fraser Watts, University of Cambridge

About the Author

Michael Argyle is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Oxford Brookes University. He is the author of over twenty books, including Cooperation (1991), The Psychology of Money (with Adrian Furnham, 1998), The Psychology of Religious Behaviour, Belief and Experience (with Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, 1998), The Psychology of Social Class (1994), and The Social Psychology of Everyday Life (1992), all published by Routledge.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415189071
• ISBN-13: 978-0415189071
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #688,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great studies - bad introduction and conclusion, June 17, 2003

By 

Andrew R. Rowe (San Luis Obispo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Psychology and Religion : An Introduction (Paperback)

This book is a great tool for understanding why some people are religious and some not. It looks at things like socializaion, personality, benefits and costs of beliefs to mental health and happiness, and many more. The book is filled with statistics to back up the findings. Also included is much analysis of what portions of the population believe and what they believe in. All of the authors findings are not his alone but more a summary of what the study of the psychology of religion has come to find.

The bad part of this book is when the author tries to draw conclusions from the findings. He is constantly trying to be even-handed and never to say that the findings could ever be used to question the validity of religion. He even tries to give the views of those opposed to religion based on psychology and then show why they are wrong. When he does this, he give pathetic imcomplete explanations, uses terrible logic, and completely misrepresents these views he is trying to explain away. I recommend you read the book and skip the intro and conclusion.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Insight, May 21, 2011

By 

LizA - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Psychology and Religion : An Introduction (Paperback)

Although I think this is the last year my professor will use this version. It is a great basic insight into the foundational understanding, intro to diverse religious foundations, cults, symbolism.