MA Psychology of Religion

Programme Convenor: Dr Rachel Blass

Link to Programme Specification

Brief Description of Programme

The programme introduces students to the psychological study of religion through a critical and reflective investigation of major psychological approaches to understanding religious beliefs, values and behaviour from the late nineteenth century. It is a ‘Psychology of religion’ degree rather than a ‘religious psychology’ degree – that is, it approaches religion from the standpoint of psychology, without making any assumptions about particular religious truths and values, and asks what psychology can offer to our understanding of people’s religious beliefs, values, and behaviour. Its contemporary relevance and focus is prompted by rapid social, cultural and technological change, by attempts to understand religious pluralism in modern society and the emergence of conflicts internationally wherein religious outlooks, beliefs and values are constitutive factors. In addressing these issues, the programme explores personal religious experience, the relationship between religious belief and behaviour, and between religion, mental health and well-being generally, and the importance of social, contextual and cultural factors in religious development. It provides an important link between psychology as a social or human science, the different religious traditions and the practice of contemporary theology and philosophy. It offers the possibility of specialisation unavailable elsewhere

The programme is intended to be of interest to a wide group of people: teachers of religious education, nurses and mental health professionals, palliative and pastoral care workers, parish counsellors, pastoral assistants, priests and ministers of religion. It is especially suited to those who are trained in psychology or psychotherapy, but is also well suited to those who have an academic background in theology or religious studies and wish to deepen their understanding of how psychology can contribute to these disciplines and their associated areas of practice.