Psychology of Religion

New research in Religion, Brain & Behavior suggests that mystical beliefs like karma predict a more meaningful life. This explains why "spiritual but not religious" individuals report more meaning than non-believers.

A new study challenges the straightforward link between faith and ethical behavior at work. It reveals that an employee's internal spiritual connection and their company’s culture are critical pieces of a more complex puzzle.

As more people in the United States and elsewhere leave their religious faith, a key question emerges: Do their political views change as well? A new multi-part study provides insight into the political transformations that can accompany religious de-identification.

The long-term health effects of a religious childhood are not uniform, a new study of older Europeans finds. On average, the experience is linked to poorer self-rated health, though the association differs across health domains.

New research in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion finds evangelical megachurch pastors use sermons to justify inequality, framing wealth as morally neutral, minimizing domestic poverty through global comparisons, and interpreting biblical references to the poor as spiritual...

A new study reports that dreams featuring supernatural events can influence a person’s daily feelings of closeness to God. Published in Frontiers in Psychology, the research shows this effect can be delayed by several days.

A new study suggests that powerful religious or spiritual experiences in adolescence can shape wellbeing years later, linking these moments to both emotional vulnerability and stronger engagement in social life.

A cross-cultural study published in PNAS provides evidence that chants share distinct acoustic traits that promote relaxation. These features, including flat pitch and slow tempo, may explain why chanting has persisted in spiritual and healing practices worldwide.

A bold theory has suggested that conservative Protestant men feel more insecure about their bodies, especially when it comes to penis size. A new study puts that idea to the test using national survey data from over 1,800 American men.

Belief in reincarnation is common in many cultures, but how do adults who claim past-life memories fare psychologically? A new Brazilian study, published in The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, links these experiences to distress but also to...

A new study suggests that offering alternatives to literal interpretations of the Bible can increase acceptance of evolution among religious individuals without reducing their religiosity. Students taught with this approach became more open to evolution while maintaining their faith.

Researchers found that religious and spiritual struggles consistently predicted more depressive symptoms across three U.S. cohorts. Belief in miracles offered some protection—particularly among White women—but had no such benefit among South Asian or American Indian participants.

Researchers have uncovered evidence that links disease-avoidance motives to religiosity. Rather than tradition or ethnocentrism, the findings point to sexual conservatism—specifically, a preference for monogamy—as the psychological bridge between disgust and religious devotion.

Despite its reputation for secularism and science literacy, a new study finds that many Danes still hold supernatural beliefs. From psychic energy to ghosts, these beliefs show strong demographic patterns—and challenge assumptions about modern rationality.

Frequent churchgoers are more likely to say tackle football is appropriate for kids, according to new research. The study highlights how religious beliefs may influence support for the sport.