Psychology of Religion

In the past four decades or so, the so-called psychology of religion – after having been deemedextinct, impossible or unlikely – has risen to prominence again: the number of publications israpidly growing, an impressive secondary literature (handbooks, introductions, etc.) is availablealready, infrastructure has been developed (a number of new journals devoted to the subjecthave been founded, organizations have been established, increasingly funding is going to thearea), attracting many new researchers. Organizations like the American PsychologicalAssociation are now publishing in the field of psychology of religion (and its Div. 36 [“psych ofrel”] with almost 3,000 members is already midsized among the APA-divisions). This bookdocuments this re-emergence and development.

“From the reviews:This volume of autobiographical accounts from some of the mostfamous international scholars in the psychology of religion will appeal to psychologists of religion and those interested in the discipline, as well as intellectual historians interested in tracing an irreducibly complex area of study that is undisputedly more heterogeneous than its parent discipline of psychology. Rather than providing pat answers to the origins and vicissitudes of the theories in this discipline, the editor brilliantly employs autobiographical accounts to provide the interpreter the freedom necessary to discover pattern, contradiction, and to discover the ways in which psychology of religion has mounted a modest resurgence in the contemporary era after an ostensible disciplinary death. This book chronicles the survival of a marginalized discipline of study through very hard times and is therefore a contribution to understanding the ways in which larger historical patterns condition the validity and usefulness of types of knowled≥ this enormous task is masterfully executed with apparent ease through idiosyncratic autobiographical accounts. It remains moot whether or not the proper autobiographies have been chosen and what cause this will have on future interpreters of the discipline and this book. This weakness is accounted for by the editor's frank admission in his well-written introduction. Joseph M. KrampJohn Jay College (CUNY)This is a collection of autobiographies of people who made a difference in the psychology of religion. … The book demonstrates that the psychology of religion is flourishing and not simply a relic of the early days of psychology. … The intended audience includes 'readers in general psychology, religious studies, and philosophy of science.' … The authors, who represent many different theological perspectives, are willing to discuss their triumphs and tragedies. The book will inspire readers who want to learn more about this field. (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody's Review Service, June, 2012)”

From the reviews: This volume of autobiographical accounts from some of the most famous international scholars in the psychology of religion will appeal to psychologists of religion and those interested in the discipline, as well as intellectual historians interested in tracing an irreducibly complex area of study that is undisputedly more heterogeneous than its parent discipline of psychology. Rather than providing pat answers to the origins and vicissitudes of the theories in this discipline, the editor brilliantly employs autobiographical accounts to provide the interpreter the freedom necessary to discover pattern, contradiction, and to discover the ways in which psychology of religion has mounted a modest resurgence in the contemporary era after an ostensible disciplinary death. This book chronicles the survival of a marginalized discipline of study through very hard times and is therefore a contribution to understanding the ways in which larger historical patterns condition the validity and usefulness of types of knowledge; this enormous task is masterfully executed with apparent ease through idiosyncratic autobiographical accounts. It remains moot whether or not the proper autobiographies have been chosen and what cause this will have on future interpreters of the discipline and this book. This weakness is accounted for by the editor's frank admission in his well-written introduction. Joseph M. Kramp John Jay College (CUNY) "This is a collection of autobiographies of people who made a difference in the psychology of religion. ... The book demonstrates that the psychology of religion is flourishing and not simply a relic of the early days of psychology. ... The intended audience includes 'readers in general psychology, religious studies, and philosophy of science.' ... The authors, who represent many different theological perspectives, are willing to discuss their triumphs and tragedies. The book will inspire readers who want to learn more about this field." (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody's Review Service, June, 2012)

Psychology of Religion: Autobiographical Accounts Jacob A. Belzen, editor In recent years, psychology of religion has experienced a remarkable comeback: research is expanding rapidly, benefiting from a genial scientific infrastructure. An important issue in psychology over a century ago, only a few decades later it vanished almost completely. Its unexpected international reemergence since the seventies has been facilitated by the work of visionaries with the energy and stamina to revive an entire branch of psychology. In Psychology of Religion: Autobiographical Accounts , a number of these pioneers account for their development in this area, depicting the diverse contexts of their work, the difficulties they had to deal with, and the increasing contemporary possibilities for their field. Critical about their discipline and sometimes about themselves, they offer a unique assessment of the subject and show the way to further research and development. Thought-provoking topics discussed along the way include: The challenge of approaching religion from a psychological perspective. Psychology of religion as a natural extension of mainstream psychology. Why psychology of religion will continue to gain salience over time. Psychology of Religion: Autobiographical Accounts will appeal to readers in general psychology, religious studies, and philosophy of science. Editor Jacob A. Belzen graduated in social sciences (Utrecht, Netherlands), history (Amsterdam, Netherlands), philosophy (Leuven, Belgium) and sciences of religion (Turku, Finland). He is a full professor at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in cultural psychology of religion, while also actively involved in empirical research on the history of his field. Recipient of various international awards, he counts among Europe's best-known psychologists of religion.

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