Psychology of Religion in Global Perspective: Logic,Approach, Concepts

From initial beginnings at the dawn of modern psychology about 120 years ago, the psychology of religion developed slowly during the 20th century, increasing at a modest pace by 2000; but strikingly so since 9/11. Psychological research on religiousness has been transformed from a small subfield of interest to only a few into a topic of broad interest within general psychology including the neurocognitive, developmental-personality-clinical, and social-cultural areas. At the same time, it has become increasingly internationalized with research now coming from many regions and cultures. Creative research with some surprise findings from various countries illustrates topics that go far beyond the field’s often-critiqued humble beginnings in New England and a few isolated spots in Northwest and Central Europe. The research is multilevel within psychology and interdisciplinary. It not only acknowledges but also aims to understand the role of cultural context interactive with individual variables in religiousness and spirituality. How to proceed with psychological research across traditional disciplinary, international, and cultural barriers is addressed.