This article was downloaded by: [New York University] On: 11 July 2015, At: 05:15 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wpic20
Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology a
Eric D. Wesselmann & Eros R. DeSouza
a
a
Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA Published online: 07 Jul 2015.
Click for updates To cite this article: Eric D. Wesselmann & Eros R. DeSouza (2015) Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology, Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 43:3, 163-164, DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2014.973274 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2014.973274
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &
Downloaded by [New York University] at 05:15 11 July 2015
Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 43:163–164, 2015 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1085-2352 print/1540-7330 online DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2014.973274
Introduction Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology ERIC D. WESSELMANN and EROS R. DESOUZA
Downloaded by [New York University] at 05:15 11 July 2015
Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
Religion and spirituality have been mainstay topics in psychology and many eminent psychologists, as far back as Williams James (1902), have written about them. Although there are debates about if and how religion and spirituality differ, most psychologists agree that these constructs are important influences on individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Paloutzian & Park, 2005). For example, religious/spiritual beliefs offer individuals a cognitive structure for understanding the world (Baumeister, 1991; Hood, Hill, & Williamson, 2005; Spilka, Shaver, & Kirkpatrick, 1985). Additionally, religious/spiritual beliefs also offer interpersonal benefits; one’s deity can serve as a stable source of belonging, especially for those who have insecure attachments (Kirkpatrick, 2005), or individuals who feel ostracized, lonely, or rejected (Aydin, Fisher, & Frey, 2010; Epley, Akalis, Waytz, & Cacioppo, 2008; Wesselmann & Williams, 2010). Further, these affiliations offer adherents a social identity and a community with which to interact with other like-minded individuals (Herriot, 2007). In summary, religious/spirituality-based affiliations represent powerful and diverse types of communities that have the ability to inspire the best (or worst) in individuals. Thus, it is important for psychologists interested in social action and change to consider the rich theory and methods employed in the psychology of religion/spirituality. The goal of this issue is twofold. First, we are answering the call of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division for the Psychology of Religion/Spirituality (Division 36) to encourage interest in studying religion/spirituality from different areas of psychological science. Second, we hope to open a dialogue between psychologists from both APA’s Division 27 (Society for Community Research and Action) and Division 36 to consider future avenues of research for both the basic psychological understanding of religion/spirituality and the potential for this understanding to impact individuals and their communities positively. Address correspondence to Eric D. Wesselmann, Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Campus Box 4620, Normal, IL 61790, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 163
Downloaded by [New York University] at 05:15 11 July 2015
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E. D. Wesselmann and E. R. DeSouza
Each contribution to this issue provides a starting point for these goals. The authors represent various areas of psychology, including community, industrial– organizational, and social psychology, and include members of both academicand community-based organizations. For instance, Wesselmann and colleagues present data from a college sample investigating how religious beliefs about mental illness influence the type of social support individuals are willing to provide. Haggard and colleagues examine how religiosity influences community volunteerism using a representative sample of adults. Williamson and Hood discuss how perceptions about minority religious communities (i.e., serpenthandling Christian denominations) can affect both public policy and overall community relations. Both Pryor and colleagues and Bryant and Ladd investigate how community intervention programs can impact members of two different stigmatized groups: persons with HIV/AIDS and former criminals. Finally, Schneider and colleagues study a different type of community—the workplace—and examine how workplace spirituality influences job satisfaction. We hope that readers find these papers both enjoyable and thought provoking. Most importantly, we hope that these papers inspire other researchers to re-evaluate how they think about how religion and spirituality may influence their own research questions and ultimately how this research can be used to create positive social change for both individuals and their communities.
REFERENCES Aydin, N., Fischer, P., & Frey, D. (2010). Turning to God in the face of ostracism: Effects of social exclusion on religiousness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36, 742–753. Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of life. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Epley, N., Akalis, S., Waytz, A., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2008). Creating social connection through inferential reproduction: Loneliness and perceived agency in gadgets, gods, and greyhounds. Psychological Science, 19, 114–120. Herriot, P. (2007). Religious fundamentalism and social identity. New York, NY: Routledge. Hood, R. W., Hill, P. C., & Williamson, W. P. (2005). The psychology of religious fundamentalism. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. James, W. (1902). The varieties of religious experience: A study in human nature. New York, NY: Random House. Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2005). Attachment, evolution, and the psychology of religion. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Paloutzian, R. F., & Park, C. L. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of the psychology of religion and sprituality. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Spilka, B., Shaver, P., & Kirkpatrick, L. (1985). A general attribution theory for the psychology of religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 24, 1–20. Wesselmann, E. D., & Williams, K. D. (2010). The potential balm of religion and spirituality for recovering from ostracism. Journal of Management, Spirituality, and Religion, 7, 29–45.
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wpic20
Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology a
Eric D. Wesselmann & Eros R. DeSouza
a
a
Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA Published online: 07 Jul 2015.
Click for updates To cite this article: Eric D. Wesselmann & Eros R. DeSouza (2015) Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology, Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 43:3, 163-164, DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2014.973274 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2014.973274
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &
Downloaded by [New York University] at 05:15 11 July 2015
Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 43:163–164, 2015 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1085-2352 print/1540-7330 online DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2014.973274
Introduction Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology ERIC D. WESSELMANN and EROS R. DESOUZA
Downloaded by [New York University] at 05:15 11 July 2015
Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
Religion and spirituality have been mainstay topics in psychology and many eminent psychologists, as far back as Williams James (1902), have written about them. Although there are debates about if and how religion and spirituality differ, most psychologists agree that these constructs are important influences on individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Paloutzian & Park, 2005). For example, religious/spiritual beliefs offer individuals a cognitive structure for understanding the world (Baumeister, 1991; Hood, Hill, & Williamson, 2005; Spilka, Shaver, & Kirkpatrick, 1985). Additionally, religious/spiritual beliefs also offer interpersonal benefits; one’s deity can serve as a stable source of belonging, especially for those who have insecure attachments (Kirkpatrick, 2005), or individuals who feel ostracized, lonely, or rejected (Aydin, Fisher, & Frey, 2010; Epley, Akalis, Waytz, & Cacioppo, 2008; Wesselmann & Williams, 2010). Further, these affiliations offer adherents a social identity and a community with which to interact with other like-minded individuals (Herriot, 2007). In summary, religious/spirituality-based affiliations represent powerful and diverse types of communities that have the ability to inspire the best (or worst) in individuals. Thus, it is important for psychologists interested in social action and change to consider the rich theory and methods employed in the psychology of religion/spirituality. The goal of this issue is twofold. First, we are answering the call of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division for the Psychology of Religion/Spirituality (Division 36) to encourage interest in studying religion/spirituality from different areas of psychological science. Second, we hope to open a dialogue between psychologists from both APA’s Division 27 (Society for Community Research and Action) and Division 36 to consider future avenues of research for both the basic psychological understanding of religion/spirituality and the potential for this understanding to impact individuals and their communities positively. Address correspondence to Eric D. Wesselmann, Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Campus Box 4620, Normal, IL 61790, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 163
Downloaded by [New York University] at 05:15 11 July 2015
164
E. D. Wesselmann and E. R. DeSouza
Each contribution to this issue provides a starting point for these goals. The authors represent various areas of psychology, including community, industrial– organizational, and social psychology, and include members of both academicand community-based organizations. For instance, Wesselmann and colleagues present data from a college sample investigating how religious beliefs about mental illness influence the type of social support individuals are willing to provide. Haggard and colleagues examine how religiosity influences community volunteerism using a representative sample of adults. Williamson and Hood discuss how perceptions about minority religious communities (i.e., serpenthandling Christian denominations) can affect both public policy and overall community relations. Both Pryor and colleagues and Bryant and Ladd investigate how community intervention programs can impact members of two different stigmatized groups: persons with HIV/AIDS and former criminals. Finally, Schneider and colleagues study a different type of community—the workplace—and examine how workplace spirituality influences job satisfaction. We hope that readers find these papers both enjoyable and thought provoking. Most importantly, we hope that these papers inspire other researchers to re-evaluate how they think about how religion and spirituality may influence their own research questions and ultimately how this research can be used to create positive social change for both individuals and their communities.
REFERENCES Aydin, N., Fischer, P., & Frey, D. (2010). Turning to God in the face of ostracism: Effects of social exclusion on religiousness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36, 742–753. Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of life. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Epley, N., Akalis, S., Waytz, A., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2008). Creating social connection through inferential reproduction: Loneliness and perceived agency in gadgets, gods, and greyhounds. Psychological Science, 19, 114–120. Herriot, P. (2007). Religious fundamentalism and social identity. New York, NY: Routledge. Hood, R. W., Hill, P. C., & Williamson, W. P. (2005). The psychology of religious fundamentalism. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. James, W. (1902). The varieties of religious experience: A study in human nature. New York, NY: Random House. Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2005). Attachment, evolution, and the psychology of religion. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Paloutzian, R. F., & Park, C. L. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of the psychology of religion and sprituality. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Spilka, B., Shaver, P., & Kirkpatrick, L. (1985). A general attribution theory for the psychology of religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 24, 1–20. Wesselmann, E. D., & Williams, K. D. (2010). The potential balm of religion and spirituality for recovering from ostracism. Journal of Management, Spirituality, and Religion, 7, 29–45.
