Overview
An introduction to the psychology of religion, with emphasis on what research in contemporary cognitive and evolutionary psychology says about human religious belief and behaviour.
Can religious belief and behaviour be explained by science? What do cognitive and evolutionary psychology tell us about belief in God? Is religion universal? How does religious belief develop in childhood? What social functions does religion serve? Combining scholarship on religion and psychology, this paper introduces students to the important interdisciplinary field of psychology of religion. In addition to the above questions, students will learn about the latest research on the psychology of terrorism, the psychology of atheism and the psychological effects of religion on prejudice/tolerance.
About this paper
| Paper title | Psychology of Religion |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Summer School
(Distance learning)
Summer School (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 72 points or one of (PSYC 111, PSYC 112, or a RELS paper)
- Restriction
- RELS 237, RELS 337
- Recommended Preparation
- PSYC 111, PSYC 112, one RELS paper
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- May not be credited together with RELS 231 or RELS 331 passed in 2016.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
- Teaching Arrangements
Weekly lectures and lab tutorials are presented on campus and telecast online simultaneously for Distance students. Lecture recordings are made available afterwards. Lab tutorials are not recorded.
- Textbooks
Not required. Journal articles will be provided via Aoroa.
- Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
- Explain major psychological theories of belief systems and worldview formation, and evaluate empirical research that tests these theories
- Compare methodological approaches used in the scientific study of belief and behaviour, including experimental, longitudinal, and survey-based designs, and assess their relative strengths and limitations
- Analyse how belief systems influence identity, cooperation, prejudice, and coping across diverse cultural contexts
- Interpret statistical outputs, figures, and tables drawn from psychological research, and apply quantitative reasoning in structured laboratory and examination settings