The psychology of religion - Bernard Spilka

Now in a fully revised and expanded third edition, this landmark text provides comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of an increasingly rich and varied field. The authors synthesize classic and contemporary research on religious thought, belief, and behavior across the lifespan; the forms and meaning of religious experience; the social psychology of religious organizations; and connections to biology, morality, coping, and mental health. As in previous editions, the focus is on scientific work that is moving the psychology of religion into the mainstream of academic psychology, rather than broad interpretative and conceptual discussions. Organized for optimal use in advanced undergraduate- or graduate-level courses, every chapter features thought-provoking quotations, sidebars, and examples that bring key concepts to life.

New in the Third Edition:
* restructured and expanded to accommodate the rapidly growing literature
* fully updated with the latest findings and interpretations
* new chapter on religion and biology
* new chapter on empirical foundations
* coverage of such timely topics as religious extremism and clerical child abuse.