This volume presents the most comprehensive survey of the empirical literature on the psychology of religion available today. Like its predecessor, the second edition of The Psychology of Religion emphasizes scientific work that is moving the psychology of religion into the mainstream of academic psychology, rather than broad interpretive and conceptual discussions of religion. Ideally structured as a text, the volume's chapters each integrate findings according to the theory or theories that best illuminate them, allowing instructors the flexibility to assign any or all of the chapters according to the design of their courses. Completely revised and updated, this second edition incorporates data on the impact of family and schools into an expanded chapter on religious socialization, and also includes a new discussion of religion and coping. Throughout, the text is greatly enhanced by the wealth of empirical research that has been conducted during the past decade.

The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach (2nd Edition)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Bruce Hunsberger

Ralph W. Hood Jr.

Bernard Spilka

Richard Gorsuch

Psychology & Counseling

The Guilford Press

This groundbreaking study uncovers fascinating new data on sudden shifts in religious and nonreligious belief. Amazing Conversions explores, for the first time ever, the reasons why converts join, and apostates go. The focus of this absorbing study is on some amazing people, with unique stories to tell those who join a religious group in spite of being raised in nonreligious (or even antireligious) families, and those who, at great personal cost, choose to leave religion in spite of having a deeply religious background. Why would an atheist's son become a Christian fundamentalist? Why would a "good Catholic girl" decide that she really is an atheist?The authors of Amazing Conversions, both social psychologists, surveyed thousands of young adults to find that small number who were "amazing believers" or "amazing apostates." These rare individuals tell their stories, which are supplemented by their responses to a detailed questionnaire. The resulting picture shows that amazing believers and amazing apostates are dramatically different groups of people, in spite of the fact that their lives now stand in opposition to previous (non)religious training. You, too, can complete the same questionnaire to learn more about yourself and your beliefs. Have you experienced an amazing conversion?

Amazing Conversions: Why Some Turn to Faith & Others Abandon Religion

Bob Altemeyer

Prometheus

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Books by Bruce Hunsberger