psychology of religion

the empirical or academic study of spiritual experience or organized religion from a psychological perspective. This has involved the description and analysis of certain specialized types of experience, such as those associated with mysticism, as well as an investigation of the more ordinary ways in which religious faith affects the behaviors and cognitive processes of believers. Pioneers in this field of study included Wilhelm Wundt and William James.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 21st 2024

voir dire

the process of questioning prospective jurors to determine if they hold biases that may reasonably interfere with their ability to act impartially in a particular trial (from Norman French, literally: “to speak the truth”). The questions may be asked in private or in open court and may be posed by the attorneys, the judge, or both. Jurors may be asked to stand down by a challenge for cause or a peremptory challenge.