The psychology of religion

Theory in the psychology of religion is in a state of rapid development, and the present volume demonstrates how various positions in this field may be translated into original foundational work that will in turn encourage exploration in many directions. A number of new contributions are collected with previously published pieces to illustrate the diversity of prominent theoreticians' thinking on topics pertinent to the psychology of religion. These essays span the psychoanalytic tradition and its derivatives: motivational, social, cognitive, and developmental frameworks plus the domain of coping and adjustment. Each section concludes with an extensive commentary. This book is a valuable addition to courses in psychology and religious studies. It also will appeal to those professionals and lay audiences interested in how this field is evolving.