About the Author

Ralph W. Hood Jr., Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. A past president of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association and a recipient of its William James Award, he is a former editor of the International Journal of the Psychology of Religion and the current editor of The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Bernard Spilka, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Denver, is past president of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association and a recipient of its William James Award. He formerly served as vice-president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and president of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association and the Colorado Psychological Association.

Bruce Hunsberger, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Widely published, he is a recipient of the William James award for research of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association.

Richard Gorsuch, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the Graduate School of Psychology of Fuller Theological Seminary, is a past president of the Psychology of Religion division of the American Psychological Association, a recipient of its William James Award, and a former editor of The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Reviews

"This text makes my short list in the psychology of religion. Empirical in orientation, yet mindful of the reductionistic pitfalls of empiricism, the authors, all seasoned veterans comprising an abridged Who's Who in the psychology of religion, provide an impressive comprehensive study. Thorough, yet concise; sophisticated, yet readable and engaging. A decided improvement over what was a good first edition, this volume will be strategically placed within arms-reach. Two thumbs up." --Peter C. Hill, PhD, Grove City College "The Psychology of Religion is much more than a textbook. While it provides an excellent introduction to the field for advanced undergraduate and graduate psychology students, it should also be mandatory reading for anthropology and sociology of religion students. The authors focus on psychology but never lose sight of the larger context that frames religion. It is also a 'must' for every serious scholar of religion's library, serving as an encyclopedic reference and providing the makings of annotated bibliographies on scores of topics. The authors not only have processed significant findings on a wide range of issues, but have shared their insight on future research needs. A most remarkable book." --Margaret M. Poloma, PhD, Sociology Department, The University of Akron "After nearly a century of neglect, the psychology of religion is experiencing a wave of renewed interest, in large part due to the pioneering work of Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch. Their text, encyclopedic in breadth, takes the reader on a tour of the fascinating and myriad forms and functions of religion. It explores the implications of the spiritual dimension for the full range of human functioning across the lifespan. The authors tackle sensitive subjects such as cults, conversion, mental disorders, and sexual abuse among clergy in even-handed fashion. The most comprehensive, empirically oriented text in the field; their book is an essential reference and guide for the serious student of religious life. "It should be widely used in advanced undergraduate courses and graduate seminars in the psychology of religion. It should also be an indispenable part of the libraries of social scientists, religious leaders, and mental health professionals." --Ken Pargament, PhD, Bowling Green State University "For a complete examination of empirical research on religion, there is none better than Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch (1996)." --Michael E. Nielsen, Contemporary Psychology


"Written like a textbook, this well-organized volume covers just about everything its title might suggest: mysticism, conversion, morality, mental disorders, religious experience and more."-- Research News and Opportunities in Science and Theology

, .."suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students...a valuable resource for any scholar interested in the field. The authors have presented experienced scholars and new students alike with an exhaustively researched, creatively organized, and thoroughly readable volume that will define the field of empirical psychology of religion for the next decade." -- Journal of Empirical Theology

"Its encyclopedic scope and meticulous documentation make this an appropriate text for graduate seminars or for advanced undergraduates.... The book is quite readable....A reviewer of the 1985 edition described it as 'indispensable' for an empirical approach to the psychology of religion. The same can be said of the new and enlarged edition." -- Review and Expositor

"Every academic, community, and free thought library needs one good text on the psychology of religion. The collaborative efforts of Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch have resulted in just such a comprehensive volume....An invaluable reference resource for anyone seeking to understand the nature and causation of religious experiences, both laudable and detramental. Each of the chapter sections is completely accessible for the non-specialist reader, and of great service to social workers, counselors, clerics, students of religion, and anyone with an interest in thehuman experience as affected by the spectrum of religious teachings and beliefs. Highly recommended." -- The Midwest Book Review

, .."a tremendous review of almost every aspect of religion you can think of, and each is covered in depth. It is a must for graduate students in search of a topic, but it also could serve as a reference book in addition to being a textbook, and I found it 'a good read' as well." -- Exceptional Human Experience

, .."a welcome library of basic information about the broad interrelationships between religion and spirituality, and human functioning, both personal and social." -- Contemporary Psychology

, .."this book is essential and necessary for a rigorous scientific psychology of religion....vast empirical research solidifies the credibility and authority of this second edition of an already successful textbook....Significant comprehensiveness is achieved within thirteen chapters....Much challenging and rich theory in psychology of religion here and abroad is presented throughout the book....This text embodies solid substance, with all of its attention to precise facts and complete references, a significant achievement and even a joy to read." -- Journal of Psychology and Christianity

"Written like a textbook, this well-organized volume covers just about everything its title might suggest: mysticism, conversion, morality, mental disorders, religious experience and more."--"Research News and Opportunities in Science and Theology"
.,."suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students...a valuable resource for any scholar interested in the field. The authors have presented experienced scholars and new students alike with an exhaustively researched, creatively organized, and thoroughly readable volume that will define the field of empirical psychology of religion for the next decade." --"Journal of Empirical Theology"
"Its encyclopedic scope and meticulous documentation make this an appropriate text for graduate seminars or for advanced undergraduates.... The book is quite readable....A reviewer of the 1985 edition described it as 'indispensable' for an empirical approach to the psychology of religion. The same can be said of the new and enlarged edition." --"Review and Expositor"
"Every academic, community, and free thought library needs one good text on the psychology of religion. The collaborative efforts of Hood, Spilka, Hunsberger, and Gorsuch have resulted in just such a comprehensive volume....An invaluable reference resource for anyone seeking to understand the nature and causation of religious experiences, both laudable and detramental. Each of the chapter sections is completely accessible for the non-specialist reader, and of great service to social workers, counselors, clerics, students of religion, and anyone with an interest in the human experience as affected by the spectrum of religious teachings and beliefs. Highly recommended." --"TheMidwest Book Review"
.,."a tremendous review of almost every aspect of religion you can think of, and each is covered in depth. It is a must for graduate students in search of a topic, but it also could serve as a reference book in addition to being a textbook, and I found it 'a good read' as well." --"Exceptional Human Experience"
.,."a welcome library of basic information about the broad interrelationships between religion and spirituality, and human functioning, both personal and social." --"Contemporary Psychology"
.,."this book is essential and necessary for a rigorous scientific psychology of religion....vast empirical research solidifies the credibility and authority of this second edition of an already successful textbook....Significant comprehensiveness is achieved within thirteen chapters....Much challenging and rich theory in psychology of religion here and abroad is presented throughout the book....This text embodies solid substance, with all of its attention to precise facts and complete references, a significant achievement and even a joy to read." --"Journal of Psychology and Christianity"