Quo Vadis Psychology of Religion? Introduction to the Special Section

Authors: Reich, Helmut K.¹; Hill, Peter C.²

Source: Archive for the Psychology of Religion / Archiv für Religionspychologie, Volume 30, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 5-18(14)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

After a brief review of the history of the psychology of religion and its nature, we introduce this special section by presenting various themes of ongoing research and pointing out differentially the desirability of continued efforts in these areas. We then assess the field, its growth, increased interdisciplinary opportunities, lesser marginalization, and improved research methodology but also the challenge of arriving at theoretical coherence, studying all types of religious and spiritual understanding and experience, and researching the richness and complexity of the religious variable itself. The six articles that follow detail possible new developments, as covered in our concluding overview.

Keywords: PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION; CURRENT RESEARCH; PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION; HISTORY; PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION; OPPORTUNITIES

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157361208X316935

Affiliations: 1: School of Consciousness Studies and Sacred Values, Rutherford University and School of Education, Fribourg University, Fribourg, Switzerland;, Email: helmut.reich@tele2.ch 2: Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, California, USA;, Email: peter.hill@biola.edu

Publication date: 2008-08-01