The Psychology of Religious Experience, Belief and Behaviour

The psychology of Religious Behaviour, Belief and Experience is the most comprehensive survey of theories and research on religion from the perspective of psychology. Religious belief is never evenly distributed, and is correlated with such variables as social background, gender and personality characteristics. Beit-Hallahmi and Argyle use findings in these areas to test numerous explanations of the origins and functions of religion in human culture. They also consider social consequences of religiosity, religious experience, religious attitudes, the effect of religion on health, the acquisition of beliefs, conversion, and the benefit or otherwise of religion. Their main conclusion is that religiosity is first and foremost social, and is learned like other kinds of social acts. Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi and Michael Argyle are renowned for their clear, analytical approach to topics and this new state-of-the-art study of psychology and religion is no exception. It will be welcomed as an update to their previous work in the area by social psychologists, sociologists and theologians worldwide.