Learning outcomes:
- knowledge of and insight into the principal themes in psychology of religion;
- knowledge of and insight into personal and social functions of religion, religious development and change, the relation between religion and morality, and the connection between religion and health;
- linking religious phenomena with human behaviour with the aid of psychological concepts and theories;
- distinguishing between psychological perspectives on religion and those of theology and/or religious studies.
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Psychology of religion studies the influence and significance of religion for the behaviour, development and experiences of individual people. Insights from the psychology of religion are of major importance for the description and understanding of an individual’s 'lived religion'. Within religious studies, religion is mainly considered as a cultural phenomenon. In psychology of religion, the individual mindset is studied as the carrier of cultural meanings. This course will follow mainly an empirical approach, presenting theories and statements about religion capable of empirical verification or falsification. The following topics will be discussed at an introductory level: the (psychological) functions of religion; religious development and change; conversion; mysticism and religious experiences; morality and prejudice related to religion; religion, health, and psychopathology; religion and coping; religion, aging and death; and religion and conflict. Specific attention is paid to religious attribution theory, which is the main paradigm throughout the course. |
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Schriftelijk tentamen met hoofdzakelijk open vragen. Een presentatie tijdens het college is voorwaarde voor deelname aan het tentamen.
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