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“One of our most outstanding researchers and thought leaders, Paloutzian has given everyone who teaches the psychology of religion an enormous gift by completely revising and updating his excellent introductory text. The third edition is noteworthy for its historical perspective on the field, its presentation and critique of current research findings, and the way it is unified by the multilevel interdisciplinary paradigm. Paloutzian integrates a wide range of important human behaviors and experiences by anchoring them in a view of religion as a meaning system. He invites students to see how psychological studies of religion can guide their thinking about many other areas they may study, from neuropsychology to cultural psychology.”

—Susan H. McFadden, PhD, Department of Psychology (Emerita), University of Wisconsin Oshkosh


“This is an invaluable text for familiarizing students with a field that is expanding greatly. Much more than a simple update, the third edition is practically a new book. It is a rich and thoughtful introductory text that integrates past and present into a harmonious whole. The breadth of topics, findings, and theories covered reflects Paloutzian's panoramic view as editor of the flagship journal of the field for almost 20 years.”

—Vassilis Saroglou, PhD, Director, Center for Psychology of Religion, University of Louvain, Belgium


“True to its title, Invitation to the Psychology of Religion welcomes the reader with a spirit of genuine warmth and hospitality. Paloutzian provides a highly accessible, well-crafted overview of the field. He skillfully blends historical material, theory, methodological concerns, and research findings in a thoughtful, cohesive, and exciting way, giving the reader a taste of many topics while maintaining focus and interest throughout.”

—Julie J. Exline, PhD, Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University


“I enjoyed utilizing the prior edition of this text for many sections of my upper-level undergraduate class on the psychological study of religion. Paloutzian does a great job of clearly and accurately summarizing the relevant scientific literature while making complex material accessible and engaging. The text offers a critical-minded scientific survey of both foundational and substantive areas, including coverage of common life issues such as conversion, prayer, suffering, prejudice, and terrorism. I have found that using an authored text—rather than an edited volume or selection of articles—has the advantage of providing a coherent, overarching perspective on the field.”

—Stephen W. Cook, PhD, Department of Psychology and Counseling; Dean, Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts, Hardin-Simmons University


“Paloutzian has done it again. His contribution to our psychological understanding of religion in the 21st century—and his comprehensive, lucid, and engaging presentation—have no rival. The updated third edition offers new insights about religion as a meaning system that is made and remade throughout life. This book is of interest to anyone who wants to know what psychology can offer to explain religious ideas and behavior. I recommend it as the textbook for all undergraduatestudents of the psychology of religion.”

—Miguel Farias, DPhil, Head of the Brain, Belief, and Behaviour Research Group, Coventry University, United Kingdom

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Table of Contents

Introduction

I. Foundations

1. Religion in Psychological Perspective

2. Intellectual Journey to the Psychology of Religion

3. Psychological Theories Look at Religion

4. Logic and Methods in the Psychology of Religion

II. Substantive Areas

5. Developmental Processes in Religiousness and Spirituality

6. Looking for Religion in the Individual

7. Religious Conversion, Deconversion, and Spiritual Transformation

8. Religion, Spirituality, and Experience

9. Religion, Mental Health, and Well-Being

10. Religion and Health-Related Issues

11. Religion, Social Attitudes, and Behavior

III. The Big Picture

12. And in the End . . .

References

Index

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About the Author

Raymond F. Paloutzian, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Experimental and Social Psychology at Westmont College and consultant to the Religion, Experience, and Mind (REM) Lab Group at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has been a visiting professor at Stanford University and a guest professor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Dr. Paloutzian is a past president of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (Division 36) of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is a Fellow of five APA divisions and of the Association for Psychological Science. For 18 years, he was Editor-in-Chief of The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. His books include Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, Second Edition (coedited with Crystal L. Park), and Invitation to the Psychology of Religion, Third Edition. Dr. Paloutzian has given invited talks on the psychology of religion in global perspective in various countries around the world.

• Author's website
• All titles by Raymond F. Paloutzian

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Audience

Students in social and clinical psychology, social work, and religious studies, as well as mental health practitioners and clergy.

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Course Use

Serves as a text for undergraduate-level and introductory graduate-level courses in the psychology of religion, within psychology departments, social work programs, religious studies programs, and seminaries.

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New to this edition:

• Reflects many years of scientific and theoretical advances.
• Chapters on psychological theories, personality, and physical health.
• New organizing concepts: religious meaning systems and the multilevel interdisciplinary paradigm.
• Additional pedagogical features, including end-of-chapter "Take-Home Messages" and engaging topic boxes.
• Descriptions of cutting-edge research methods.
• Increased attention to multicultural issues.