Psychology of religion
[PSY1402]
[30h] 5 credits
This course is taught in the 1st semester.
Teacher(s): Vassilis Saroglou
Language: French
Level: First
Aims
Course description (main themes)
First, there is an introduction to the diversity and similar features of theoretical approaches, both classic and contemporary, which provide a psychological interpretation of the emergence, function and place of religion in people's lives, their individual experience and their membership of social groups.
Second, there is an introduction to the diversity (intercultural and interreligious) and the universal psychological features which characterize the links of interdependency and beneficial or detrimental impact created by religion in the areas of personality, health and well-being, collective identities, cognition and ethical action.
Main themes
In parallel, clarification of the characteristic features of psychology and the links between religion and closely related fields (e.g. spirituality).
Introduction to specific methodological questions in psychology of religion (dimensions- types- of religiosity, measures, methodologies).
Starting from theoretical approaches and empirical studies, examination of the links religion has with :
1. personality (Big Five, Eysenk's model)
2. ethics (cognition and moral actions, prosocial behaviour, sexuality, guilt, value hierarchy)
3. well-being and (mental) health, psychopathology and psychotherapy
4. cognition (dogmatism, stereotypes, prejudices, orthodoxy, fundamentalism)
5. group psychology (cults, charismatic leaders, NMR)
Content and teaching methods
In parallel, clarification of the characteristic features of psychology and the links between religion and closely related fields (e.g. spirituality).
Introduction to specific methodological questions in psychology of religion (dimensions- types- of religiosity, measures, methodologies).
Starting from theoretical approaches and empirical studies, examination of the links religion has with :
1. personality (Big Five, Eysenk's model)
2. ethics (cognition and moral actions, prosocial behaviour, sexuality, guilt, value hierarchy)
3. well-being and (mental) health, psychopathology and psychotherapy
4. cognition (dogmatism, stereotypes, prejudices, orthodoxy, fundamentalism)
5. group psychology (cults, charismatic leaders, NMR)
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)