Psychology of Religion

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.

A groundbreaking study has found that psilocybin can profoundly affect religious leaders, enhancing their spiritual lives and emotional well-being. Six months after two guided sessions, clergy from major world religions reported lasting positive changes in faith, mood, and leadership effectiveness.

Christians scored higher than atheists on both self-compassion and grandiose narcissism, suggesting a mix of self-kindness and moral self-importance. But the two groups were equally prone to shame and fragile narcissism, revealing unexpected similarities in emotional vulnerability.

A new study of Israeli Druze adults finds that religious individuals report better sleep and less anxiety than their non-religious peers. The findings suggest that mental health—particularly anxiety—may help explain how religiosity influences sleep quality.

New research suggests our brains may be wired to expect danger in the dark. The study found that sensory deprivation and uncertainty often trigger a disturbing feeling of presence—perhaps an ancient survival response to unseen threats in our environment.