Week 2

With our foundation laid, let’s start at (or at least toward) the beginning. The study of the psychology of religion and spirituality starts with some foundational theories. These four scholars we’re focusing on are by no means offered the ONLY theories, but these are perhaps some of the most seminal figures. Understanding their positions will help you make sense of other scholars’ positions, as they are usually in response to or based on one of these figures below.
Provide a written response to the following questions (max. 3 pages). Post your write up directly into the forum (no attachments) by Sunday, and then respond to two of your classmates by the following Thursday.
Look at the four chapters specified in Forsyth’s book. Pick two of the figures and discuss how their ideas might be playing out in contemporary religion and spirituality. If they are, why do you think that is? If, they’re not, what are a few reasons behind that? Does any of your analysis match up with the recurrent themes in psychology of religion that Hood cites? How so? What is your personal reaction to this week’s reading?

*Note: I’ve also listed supplementary readings below. These are optional, but can serve as other sources to consider on these figures. Bonus points to anyone who attempts James’ Varieties – it’s a seminal work, but not for the faint of heart – take a look at a section or two to get a feel for it. 

Required Readings (for best experience, read in order!) 

Forsyth, J. (2003). Psychological theories of religion. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. (Chapters on Freud, James, Jung and Allport)

Hood, R.W. (2012). The history and current state of research on psychology of religion. In L. Miller’s (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality. New York: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199729920.013.0001.

Supplementary Readings

Gollnick, J. (2001). Development of the God-image in Carl Jung’s psychology and spirituality. Studies in Religion, 30(2), 179-192.

James, W. (1925). The varieties of religious experience; a study in human nature; being the Gifford lectures on natural religion delivered at Edinburgh in 1901-1902. New York: Longmans, Green, and Co.

Kovel, J. (1990). Beyond the future of an Illusion: Further Reflections on Freud and Religion. Psychoanalytic Review, 77(1), 69-87.

Allport, G.W. & Ross, J. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5(4), 432-443