The Science of Religion, Spirituality, and Existentialism

by Kenneth E. Vail III (Editor), Clay Routledge PhD (Editor)

Overview

The Science of Religion, Spirituality, and Existentialism presents in-depth analysis of the core issues in existential psychology, their connections to religion and spirituality (e.g., religious concepts, beliefs, identities, and practices), and their diverse outcomes (e.g., psychological, social, cultural, and health). Leading scholars from around the world cover research exploring how fundamental existential issues are both cause and consequence of religion and spirituality, informed by research data spanning multiple levels of analysis, such as: evolution; cognition and neuroscience; emotion and motivation; personality and individual differences; social and cultural forces; physical and mental health; among many others. The Science of Religion, Spirituality, and Existentialism explores known contours and emerging frontiers, addressing the big question of why religious belief remains such a central feature of the human experience. - Discusses both abstract concepts of mortality and concrete near-death experiences - Covers the struggles and triumphs associated with freedom, self-regulation, and authenticity - Examines the roles of social exclusion, experiential isolation, attachment, and the construction of social identity - Considers the problems of uncertainty, the effort to discern truth and reality, and the challenge to find meaning in life - Discusses how the mind developed to handle existential topics, how the brain and mind implement the relevant processes, and the many variations and individual differences that alter those processes - Delves into the psychological functions of religion and science; the influence on pro- and antisocial behavior, politics, and public policy; and looks at the role of spiritual concerns in understanding the human body and maintaining physical health

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780128172056
Publisher:	Elsevier Science & Technology Books
Publication date:	04/04/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	502
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Vail is a psychological scientist and professor at Cleveland State University, and director of the Social Psychology & Existential Attitudes Research (SPEAR) Laboratory. He completed his BA in psychology at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and his MA and PhD at the University of Missouri. His research is focused on motivation and the self, broadly, investigating the cultural and personal consequences of the human existential condition. Much of this research touches on the consequences of humans’ awareness of their own mortality, autonomy, and choice freedom, and the influence of these existential concerns on cultural activity (e.g., politics, religion), personal growth, and both physical health (e.g., nutrition, carcinogenic behavior) and mental health (e.g., PTSD). He has published dozens of research articles and scholarly chapters, and co-edited special issues of journals such as Religion, Brain, & Behavior and Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. Some of his research findings have been featured in national and international news outlets including The Atlantic, Pacific Standard, Live Science, TEDx, Telegraph UK, and the Times of India, and he has contributed to notable volumes such as: Science and the World’s Religions; The Psychology of Meaning; The Experience of Meaning in Life; Advances in Motivation Science; and the Handbook of Terror Management Theory and Research. At Cleveland State University, Dr. Vail has earned awards (e.g., Golden Apple Award; Outstanding Teaching Awards) for his work teaching and mentoring across a variety of domains in psychological science. For more information, visit: csuohio.edu/sciences/spear-lab.
Dr. Routledge is a leading expert in existential psychology. His work examines how the need for meaning and related psychological motives influence and are influenced by cognitive, affective, and self-regulatory proccesses, individual differences, momentous life expericnes, personal and professional goals, social relationships, spirituality and religiosity, entrepreneurship, innovation, prosocial behavior, and attitudes about the future. He is an award-winning scholar who has published over 100 academic papers and co-edited three books. He is the author of two books, Nostalgia: A Psychological Resource and Supernatural: Death, Meaning, and the Power of the Invisible World, and the TED-Ed animated lesson Why Do We Feel Nostalgia?

Table of Contents

Part 1: Death 1. Dwelling Forever in the House of the Lord: On the Terror Management Function of Religion2. Death anxiety and religious belief: A critical review3. Face to Face with Death: The Role of Religion in Coping with Suffering4. Near-Death Experiences: The Mystical Feeling of "Crossing Over" and Its Impact on Faith and Spirituality Part 2: Freedom5. Reactance and spiritual possibilities: An application of psychological reactance theory6. Understanding the psychology of religion: The contribution of Self Determination Theory 7. A Goals Perspective on Religion and Spirituality8. Religion and Spirituality, Free Will, and Effective Self-Regulation9. Authenticity and the True Self in Religion and Spirituality10. Freedom as a Cross to Bear: Choice-Overload, the Burdens of Freedom, and the Benefits of Constraint Part 3: Isolation and social identity11. Social Ostracism, Religion, and Existential Concerns12. The holy grail of connection: I-sharing, existential isolation, and religion13. An attachment theory perspective on religion and spirituality14. A social identity approach to religion: Religiosity at the nexus of personal and collective self15. Religion and the construction of identity Part 4: Systems of meaning16. Truth and significance: A 3N Model (needs, narratives, networks) perspective on religion17. Existential Uncertainty and Religion18. Cosmic dad or Cthulhu: Why we will always need (religious) absolutes19. Religiousness and meaning making following stressful life events20. Meaning, religious/spiritual struggles, and well-being Part 5: Mechanisms, variations, and individual differences21. In His Own Image: An Existential Evolutionary Perspective on the Origins and Function of Religion22. Fear Not: Religion and Emotion Regulation in Coping with Existential Concerns23. Existential Givens, Religion, and Neuroscience24. The Existential implications of individual differences in religious defensive and growth orientations: Fundamentalism, quest religiosity, and intrinsic/extrinsic religiosity25. Existential Therapy, Religion, and Mindfulness Part 6: Applications and controversies26. Science and religion: A rocky relationship shaped by shared psychological functions27. Of Flesh and Blood: Death, Creatureliness, and Incarnational Ambivalence towards the Divine28. Religion: More essential (and existential) nutrient than opiate for the masses29. Politics and Religion: Commutable, Conflicting, and Collaborative Systems for Satisfying the Need for Order30. The Paradox of Faith: How Existential Concerns Motivate both Prosocial and Antisocial Religious Behaviors31. Religion and Health: Building Existential Bridges

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From the Publisher

Comprehensive reference on the intersection of existential psychology and the psychology of religion