Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
8PSY 434Psychology of Religion3+0+03502.11.2025

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program BA Program in Islamic Studies (%30 English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The purpose of this course is to explore psychological and social psychological dimension of religious belief and practices.
Course Content This class will be an overview of the major psychological perspectives on religion, faith and religious experience. Topics include conversion, intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientation, religion and social behavior, theories of religion, special groups and phenomena, religion and mental health, religious development, and religious experience.
Course Methods and Techniques Lectures and discussion will develop content area in a step-by-step manner. Depending on the class size, questions,
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Prof.Dr. Hasan KAPLAN
Assistants Research Assist. Süeda AKÇA
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources
Course Notes • Paloutzian, R.F. Invitation to the Psychology of Religion, 2nd edition, Allyn and Bacon, 1996.
• Paloutzian, R.F. and Kirkpatrick, L.A. (Eds.) Religious Influences on Personal and Societal Well-being. Journal of Social Issues 51 (2), whole issue. [JSI]
• Paloutzian, R.F. and Santrock, J.W. The Psychology of Religion. In J.W. Santrock, Psychology, 5th edition. Brown and Benchmark/McGraw Hill, 1997. Chapter REL, 1-27.
• Fuller, A.R. Psychology and Religion: The View Both Ways, 3rd edition. Rowman and Littlefield, 1994.

Course Category
Mathematics and Basic Sciences %0
Engineering %0
Engineering Design %0
Social Sciences %70
Education %10
Science %10
Health %10
Field %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 30
Assignment 2 % 20
Final examination 1 % 50
Total
4
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 12 2 24
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 12 5 60
Assignments 2 20 40
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Final examination 1 10 10
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 144

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 To provide the student with a knowledge of the fundamental methodologies and psychological theories used in the study of religion.
2 Heighten self-awareness and the ability to critically assess the students own religious beliefs and values .
3 Develop the ability to discuss studies of religious phenomena, while respecting the beliefs of others.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction---Paloutzian: chapters 1&3 (pgs. 22-13; pgs. 89-92) Read the chapter and do some web search Introduction---Paloutzian: chapters 1&3 (pgs. 22-13; pgs. 89-92)
2 Religion in Psychological Perspective Foundational issues; The Psychological Nature and Function of Religion Why study religion? Why are people religious? Definition and Scope of Religion/Dimensions of Religious Commitment / Is Religion Unique; Is Psychology of Religion Valid? Required Reading: Spilka et al. Chapter 1, pp.1-19 Suggested Reading: Paloutzian, Chapter 1 (pp xi-35)
3 Historical and Theoretical Developments The History of the Psychology of Religion Intellectual Journey to the Psychology of Religion Psychology of Religion at the Beginning of Psychology Required Reading: Paloutizian, Chapter 2 (pp. 39-74) Suggested Reading : Paloutzian, R., Psychology of, and, for, against religion.
4 Foundations for an Empirical Psychology of Religion The Empirical Study of Religion and Spirituality 21 Reductionism in Conceptualizing Religious Issues 22 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods 25 The Many Varieties of Religious Experience 33 Measurement in the Psychology of Religion 36 Individual Differences 42 Attribution in the Psychology of Religion Required Reading: Spilka et al. Chapter 2, pp. 21-52
5 Psychological Theories Look at Religion The Psychobiology of Religion 54 Early Theories of the Origins of Religion 55 Contemporary Psychobiological Thinking and Research 57 Religion, Spirituality, and the Brain 62 Health in Religious Groups 66 The Biology of Religious Ritual 71 The Biology of Prayer 73 The Biological Effects of Forgiveness 74 Required Readings: Paloutzian, Chapter 3 (pp. 77-108) Spilka et al. Chapter 3, pp. 54-75
6 Developmental Processes in Religiousness and Spirituality Models of Religiousness and Spirituality in Children Cognitively Oriented Research on Child Religious Development Paloutizian, Chapter 5 (pp. 150- 169)
7 Midterm Exam
8 Developmental Processes in Religiousness and Spirituality-II Learning, Attachment, and Socialization of Religion Adolescents and Young Adults Two Lifespan Models Paloutizian, Chapter 5 pp. 160- 188 Suggested Reading: Bottoms, et al. In the Name of God: A Profile of Religion-Related Child Abuse JSl, 85-111.
9 Looking for Religion in the Individual The Whole Person Religiousness and Spirituality in Classic Personality Theories Psychodynamic, Behaviorist, Humanistic Is Religiousness Related to Traits and Dispositions? The Big Five or Six Intelligence and Achievement Authoritarianism Spiritual Intelligence Intrinsic, Extrinsic, and Quest Religious Orientations The Dark Side of Spirituality Paloutzian, chapter 6 pp. 188-214
10 Religious Conversion---Paloutzian: chapter 7 (pgs. 216-238) x All readings are found in the required text Psychology of Religion
11 Religion, Mental Health, and Well-Being Religion and Psychic Disturbance Mental Health and Illness Are Relative and Multidimensional Dimensionality and Directionality: It Goes Both Ways Fine-Tune Methods and Concepts Religion and Emotions Religion and Psychological Disorders Religion and Coping Positive and Negative Religious Coping Pathways between Religion and Well-Being Religion, Counseling, and Therapy Therapy as Meaning Remaking Integrating Religion into Therapy x All readings are found in the required text Psychology of Religion
12 Religion and Health-Related Issues Religion–Health Issues It’s All Psychological: The Model Dying and Healing Religion, Spirituality, and Living Suffering and Well-Being Miracles Prayer and Health x All readings are found in the required text Psychology of Religion
13 Religion, Social Attitudes, and Behavior The Acid Test Religion’s Grand Paradox Religion, Self, and Others Religion and Social Behavior x Paloutzian, Chapter 11 pp. 332-365
14 Evaluation and New Directions The Big Picture And in the End . . . x Paloutizian, Chapter 12 pp. 367-375

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10
All 3 2 2 1 3 2 4 5 4 1
C1 3 2 2 1 3 2 4 5 4 1
C2 2 2 2 1 3 2 4 4 5 1
C3 1 1 1 1 2 2 4 4 4 1

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

  
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