The Psychology of Religion, Fourth Edition: An Empirical Approach

Scholarly and comprehensive yet accessible, this state-of-the-science work is widely regarded as the definitive graduate-level psychology of religion text. The authors synthesize classic and contemporary empirical research on numerous different religious groups. Coverage includes religious thought, belief, and behavior across the lifespan; links between religion and biology; the forms and meaning of religious experience; the social psychology of religious organizations; and connections to morality, coping, mental health, and psychopathology. Every chapter features thought-provoking quotations and examples that bring key concepts to life.

*Revised and updated with the latest theories, methods, and empirical findings.

*Many new research examples.

*Restructured with fewer chapters for better “fit” with a typical semester.

*More attention to the differences between religion and spirituality

*Covers emerging topics: genetics and neurobiology, positive psychology, atheism, and more.