Religion and Personality
The consideration of religion and personality from a psychological perspective logically seems to stem from the desire to evaluate correlations to increase the understanding of humanity and potentially improve human development or well-being. The findings from research conducted as well as the challenges associated with the inquiry of the relationship of religion and personality serve to inform our understandings.
Personality trait perspective
The association of religion personality has been investigated primarily from the perspective of personality trait research. Research in this area typically seeks to show the association of broadly defined personality traits and religiosity. Different personality trait systems and factors and different definitions of religiosity have been used, including worship attendance, prayer, and dimensions of spirituality. Frequently research has centered on three factors developed by H.J. Eysenck; extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism or on the Big Five factors of personality; openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism and also on Catell’s sixteen factors of personality and their relationships with religiosity.
Three Factors
Based on analysis of research of his own and that conducted by others, Michel Eysenck concluded in 1998 that no solid evidence exists to show a correlation between religion and extraversion and neuroticism, while evidence did manage to indicate a negative relationship between religion and psychoticism. Further, there was no determination of the definition of the source of the relationship, meaning whether low-psychotic personalities are attracted to religion, or whether religion has an impact on levels of psychot...
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...rstanding and because they have been exploited as labels that create bias, especially so in the realm of education. There are other perceptions by which the associations of religion and personality can be viewed that are growing in popularity. One such considers both personality and religion from the evolutionary angle. This small body of research that has developed primarily in the last decade explains that religion is a byproduct of mechanisms that evolved for other purposes and is expressed because of interactions in the environment and other cognitive processes (Kirkpatrick, 1999). Whether the pendulum of popular theory swings from trait based research and Western ideals to biologically based research encompassing a combination of philosophies, we can conclude only that questions about the association of religion and personality will become increasingly complex.
The models that incorporate the relationship of psychology and theology are explored. The author investigates the spectrum, from no mingling of psychology and theology (antagonistic model) to partial integration (intermediate models) and ultimately to incorporation of the two (integrative model). He provides the reader with an in-depth exploration of this spectrum. Entwistle continues on to provide the argument that the integrative model is the most accurate of the models since ther...
David Entwistle's (2010) Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is geared more towards Christians with conservative evangelical views and provides the reader an outline to different worldview disputes and truth-seeking groundwork that surround the connection that underlies psychology and theology. In addition to analyzing the possible connection of psychology and theology, Entwisle discusses the consideration of integrating Christian faith with the practice of psychology. “Christian understandings of person-hood, the purpose of human life, our need for God, and the ethical teachings of Christian faith are integral to psychology, not merely parallel to it” (p. 199). Entwistle’s viewpoint on this matter is stated clearly. He believes that it is necessary for theology and psychology be integrated in order to fully understand human nature.
Throughout this essay I will demonstrate how religion has played a role in the lives of humans as well as explicate the reasoning behind the true nature of the creation of religion by a psychopath.
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Cervone, D., Pervin, L. A. (2008). Personality: Theory and research (10th Ed.). New York: Wiley.
Throughout history, religion has impacted the lives of millions whether at school, work, with friends, or by some tragedy. Religion can change the way people view their existence. Religion also plays a big role in the infiltration of values into the loves of many young people today. In a recent pole printed in the USA Weekend Paper, “34% of respondents [said] Religion plays a powerful role in their everyday lives.” These student respondents “cited religion as the second-strongest influence in their lives outranked only by parents.” Religion also surpassed the world-renounced media as an influence in their lives (Lerman. 1).
Entwistle’s book explores the links and integration between psychology and Christianity. As the title explains this book paints a picture of the conflicting worldviews and philosophical foundations that people perceive about how they can be integrated. Entwistle provides research through scholarly reflection and various models that link both psychology and Christianity together. Entwistle remarked by saying “There are many events that raise both theological and psychological questions and such events serve as useful springboards to investigate links between Christian theology and other disciplines” (Entwistle, 2015, p. 8). This statement sets the stage for the readers to understand how some events throughout history have laid the
In the short story, “And of Clay Are We Created” written by Isabel Allende, a reporter named Rolf finds himself alone with a small girl, Azucena, of whom he tries to save from a mudslide. As tragedy strikes, he finds himself staying by her side until help arrives. His darkest secrets creep out of the dark as he begins to tell the girl stories from his childhood. In the end, he lets her sink into the mud as she closes her eyes to fall into a peaceful sleep that becomes the end of her life. The theme of the story is that as a person, no one can move on if they have not taken care of their personal demons or past that haunts them. The author shows multiple forms of literary devices within the story, such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, and imagery, to form the theme of the story.
When Rolf Carle attempts to mask his wounds and make them vanish like they’d never even been there, the pain returns and consumes him entirely. He sees a “fragment” of his past in the dying little girl. The event turns out to have a greater impact on him than Azucena. His full sense of consciousness was finally returned once the “unyielding floodgates” of agony and emotion poured out. In Rolf’s battle to save the young girl, he ultimately ends up saving himself.
“And of clay are we created” is a heart-wrenching short story about a natural disaster that happened in Colombia written by Isabelle Allende. It follows a journalist, Rolf Carle, and a young girl called Azucena. Rolf Carle is the protagonist of the story. He goes through quite a lot in the story. Let’s start with what type of character he is. Rolf is both a round and dynamic character. He changes quite dramatically throughout the story. Rolf goes from an emotionally detached journalist to a dejected and crushed man that can be barely recognizable. This change is caused by his conflicts and is presented clearly all through the story. His internal conflict is him trying to forget his past and trying to fight his inner demons. The writer reveals to us in the story that Rolf had a horrific past.
This is David Entwistle 2nd edition book published in 2010 by Wipf and Stock in Oregon. Entwistle is a Christian and a licensed psychologist; he has affiliations with Molone University in Canton, Ohio serving as chair of the Psychology Department and has taught courses related to his licensed field. This book clearly is not written for any newcomers to religion. However, it was written for those interested in the integration of science and religion. The authors’ purpose for writing this book was to define the relationship between psychology and theology. There are three specific areas this book touched upon to help readers’ better approach psychology and Christianity in a personal and more professional manner: The context of philosophical issues and worldview, to help the readers become aware of assumptions or beliefs- making the reader a more critical evaluators, and to introduce and familiarize the reader with five paradigms for integrating psychology and theology.
...tz, Hans-Georg; Lewis, Christopher Alan. “The Relationship Between Religion and Happiness Among German Students.” Pastoral Psychology. 51.4 (2003): 273-281. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 19 June 2015.
As we all know, self esteem is an important aspect of living a happy and healthy life. Religion is one of the reasons that some individuals find peace and happiness within themselves, and gives them a heightened sense of well being (Fagan). Obtaining a membership within a religious organization has shown to decrease stress from work related problems, along with elevating a person 's coping skills. This is because they frequently join together in prayer, support of one another, and their religious practices, all while assessing their situations through a religious outlook
Religion plays an enormous role in the history of mankind. Wars have been fought over it, lives have been surrounded by it, and it has directly or indirectly shaped the lives of many individuals. Culture and religion play a large role in developing each other. People’s religion is decided by their culture. The prominence or the lack of religion will develop someone’s religious identity have play a core role in determining what that person believes.
Religion, a word shrouded with mystery, confusion and complexity. For some it is the answer to everything, a path to guidance and hope. For others it is the reason for all evil or just a manmade phenomenon for people who refuse to understand that everything happens for a scientific reason. Whatever the case is, it is a topic that is quite controversial and much debated among scientists, cultural theorist and conspiracy theorists. Religion plays a major role in functioning and forming social and psychological behavior of a society. It is connected more towards the emotional side of a person and everyone has their own perspective about it. Therefore religion has become an important part of human identity.