The psychology of religion emerged as a sub-branch within American psychology that strives to integrate various forms of religion and spirituality with psychology. It aims to understand and explain the religious life and behaviors of individuals, which manifest in different ways, and the relationships of religious life with other mental events using its unique methods and techniques. The purpose of the psychology of religion is not to make assumptions about religious truths and values but to approach this information from the perspective of the science of psychology and to reveal how psychology tries to understand people's religious beliefs, values, and behaviors. In a sense, while psychology deals with the scientific investigation of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, the psychology of religion focuses on the study of religious emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Within the psychology of religion, it addresses many topics such as the types and dimensions of religious experiences, the causes of religious experiences, religious beliefs, changes observed in religious beliefs throughout life, the psychological impact of religious practices, religion and mental health, religion and addiction, conversion, religious and spiritual well-being, religion and psychotherapy, spiritual approach in psychotherapy, social, contextual, and cultural factors in the development of religious beliefs, religion and prejudice, religion and identity, religion and self-actualization, and religion and emotions. The department conducts studies aimed at the field of spiritual counseling in addition to undergraduate, master's, and doctoral courses.
Prof. Dr. Orhan GÜRSU
Head of the Department of Psychology of Religion