What is it about?
This paper argues that only by fully utilizing scientific techniques can the field resolve many of its basic problems, including how to define its constructs of interest and what the goals are for our work.
Featured Image
Photo by Daniel Halseth on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Spirituality and religiousness represent uniquely human motivations. Studying them in a clear and precise manner will help to expand the social sciences' understanding of human psychology and greatly expand current models of psychopathology and ultimate human functioning.
Perspectives
I believe that there is too little productive research being done the this area. Too many essential questions remain unanswered (e.g., a definition of spirituality/religiousness, an ontological model that explains the origins and functions of these constructs, and adequate measures that reflect truly psychological aspects of religious and spiritual strivings). Rigorous research can and will solve these issues and help move the field forward and into the mainstream of the social sciences.
Dr. Ralph L Piedmont
Center for Professional Studies
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Putting the science back in the scientific study of religiousness and spirituality: A commentary on Paloutzian and Park (2021)., Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, February 2021, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/rel0000298.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Science of Spirituality
Short video overviewing my work with personality and spirituality. Review the value and importance of the numinous (i.e., those psychological motivations that make religion and spirituality so important to people) for promoting mental health and thriving.
Understanding the Psychological Soul of Spirituality: A Guidebook for Research and Practice
2020 published book providing a comprehensive, psychological overview of the numinous and its role in psychological functioning. An ontological model is presented along with a complementing methodological approach. New measures, concepts, clinical paradigms, and clinical cases are presented that reveal the great influence and relevance spirituality has for human thriving.
Contributors
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