FF:PSMB020 Psychology of religion - Course Information

PSMB020 Psychology of religion

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

PhDr. Pavel Moravec, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

PhDr. Pavel Moravec, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Šefčíková
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts

Prerequisites

(! PS_BB023 Psychology of Religion )&&(! PSBB012 Psychology of Religion )&&SOUHLAS
Due to the high level of interest in the course in previous semesters, each student must apply for an exception in order to enroll. In the application, they must explain why they would like to take the course.  The teacher evaluates applications one month before the first block of classes.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 10 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/10, only registered: 0/10

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• Psychology (programme FF, N-PSYCH_)

Course objectives

The goal of this subject is to present the connection between psychology and religious experience in order to show the positive influence of faith on individual well-being and also to show the possibility to destroy the personality by misinterpreted religious experience. Because of the limited time, the field of study has been narrowed to Christianity. The goal of the topic is not a theoretical lecture but the presentation of practical experiences (research results, case studies). The discussion about the actual critical topics from the Church environment is welcomed.

Learning outcomes

Students will gain an overview of the field of psychology of religion – its historical development and current trends. They will also acquire basic knowledge of religious studies and philosophy of religion, which form the foundations of the field of psychology of religion. They will be able to think critically about selected topics: the socio-psychological dimension of religion, the development of religious experience within ontogenesis, the psychological view of religious rituals, the psychological interpretation of the Bible, the psychological aspects of human morality, homosexuality, and sexual abuse within churches. They will have an overview of religious experience in certain psychiatric disorders.

Syllabus

• Úvod
• A brief overview of the world's major religions
• The history of the psychology of religion and leading researchers in the field
• Possibilities for researching religious experience
• Religion as a social phenomenon. Sects.
• Psychological interpretation of the Bible
• Religious rituals
• Religion and ethos (psychological aspects of guilt and forgiveness)
• Development of faith in individuals
• Religious manifestations in psychiatric disorders
• Selected special topics: rigid religious upbringing, pedophile scandals, homosexuality in selected religions.

Literature

required literature
• HALAMOVÁ, Alena. Nahá žena na střeše : psychoterapeutické aspekty biblických příběhů. Edited by Prokop Remeš. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2004, 197 s. ISBN 8071789216. info
• ŘÍČAN, Pavel. Psychologie náboženství a spirituality. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2007, 326 s. ISBN 9788073673123. URL info
• VOJTÍŠEK, Zdeněk; Pavel DUŠEK and Jiří MOTL. Spiritualita v pomáhajících profesích. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2012, 231 s. ISBN 9788026200888. info

recommended literature
• Beier, M. (2006). A Violent God-Image. An Introduction to the Work of Eugen Drewermann. New York, London: Continuum.
• Frielingsdorf, K. (2010). Falešné představy o Bohu. Karmelitánské nakladatelství, Kostelní Vydří.
• HELMINIAK, Daniel A. Co vlastně Bible říká o homosexualitě? 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury (CDK), 2007, 131 s. ISBN 9788073251222. info
• HOLE, Günter. Fanatismus : sklon k extrému a jeho psychologické kořeny. Translated by Simona Hoskovcová. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 1998, 147 s. ISBN 8071781835. info
• HOLM, Nils G. Úvod do psychologie náboženství. Translated by Karel Balcar. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 1998, 157 s. ISBN 80-7178-217-3. info
• Hood, R. W., Hill, P. C., Spilka, B. (2009). The Psychology of Religion. An Empirical Approach. New York, London: The Guilford Press.
• KEMP, Hugh P., 2014. ABC světových náboženství. Praha: Česká biblická společnost. ISBN 978-80-87287-65-1
• KRÁMSKÝ, David. Filosofické základy psychologie morálky. Vydání první. Liberec: Bor, 2015, 175 stran. ISBN 9788087607435. info
• KÜNG, Hans. Po stopách světových náboženství. Translated by Eva Lajkepová - Pavel Kolmačka. 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2006, 306 s. ISBN 8073250594. info
• LOFFELD, Jan. Když Bůh nikomu nechybí : úvahy o náboženské lhostejnosti. Edited by Tomáš Halík, Translated by Zdeněk Jančařík. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2025, 174 stran. ISBN 9788026222644. info
• MAGUIRE, Anne. Stíny duše : temné stránky lidské psychiky z pohledu hlubinné psychologie a spirituálních tradic. Translated by Pavel Klepáč. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 1999, 219 s. ISBN 8071783412. info
• MÜLLER, Wunibald. Zamlčené rány : otázky sexuálního zneužívání v katolické církvi. Edited by Anselm Grün, Translated by Petr Babka. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2011, 212 s. ISBN 9788073678333. info
• PALOUTZIAN, Raymond F. a PARK, Crystal L., 2015. Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 2. New York, London: Guilford press. ISBN 978-1-4625-2053-4.
• ROHR, Richard. Pád vzhůru : spiritualita pro obě poloviny života. Translated by Julie Žemlová. Vydání první. Praha: Vyšehrad, 2015, 141 stran. ISBN 9788074295423. info
• ŘÍČAN, Pavel and Pavlína JANOŠOVÁ. Spirituální výchova v rodině : co radí psychologové? Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2016, 175 stran. ISBN 9788026210986. info
• ŠOLC, Vladislav. Ve jménu Boha : fanatismus v pojetí hlubinné psychologie. Translated by Miluš Kotišová. 1. vyd. V Praze: Stanislav Juhaňák - Triton, 2013, 238 s. ISBN 9788073876340. info

Teaching methods

Classes are held in four six-hour blocks. The dates are specified in the schedule.

Assessment methods

Active participation in classes is required to successfully complete the course (maximum 20% absence allowed).

In addition to active participation in class, students will either write an essay or prepare a presentation for class (see below). 

Essay instructions:
The essay should be 3-5 pages long, and students should choose one of the following two topics:

• Right-wing populism appealing to the Christian foundations of society – a return to roots or the exploitation of religion for personal gain?
• Bible-based therapy for homosexuality – an alternative therapeutic approach or unethical behavior?

The essay must be submitted to the homework vaults latest three days before the second block of classes.

Instructions for the presentation:
Presentations take place in the second, third, and fourth teaching blocks. They are 5-7 minutes long and are prepared in pairs. They cover the following topics:

• The religious situation in neighboring countries (Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland).
• The religious situation in other selected countries (here, students can draw on their experiences, e.g., from study trips to these countries).
• Christmas celebrations (with an emphasis on psychological aspects) in neighboring countries (Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland).
• Celebrating Christmas (with an emphasis on psychological aspects)  in other selected countries (here, students can draw on their experiences, e.g., from study stays in the given countries).
• Sexuality in Hinduism.
• Sexuality in Buddhism.
• Sexuality in Islam.

Students have the opportunity to register for the list of presentations one month before the start of the first block of classes. The teacher will send them an email with a link to the list.

Náhradní absolvování

The course cannot be completed in an alternative form.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further Comments

The course is taught each semester.
The course is taught in blocks.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2026, recent)
  
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