Psychology of Religion

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.

A new study analyzing 18 years of UK survey data found that attending religious services doesn't consistently improve mental health. While previous research suggested benefits, this large-scale analysis found mostly no effect—and sometimes even slightly worse mental health symptoms.

A new study finds that many young Americans are walking away from organized religion—not because they’ve lost belief, but because their values around authenticity, justice, and individual autonomy conflict with the teachings and politics of religious institutions.

Christians who believe God is benevolent, engaged, and angered by sin are more likely to support religious nationalism, according to a new study. This worldview was also associated with conspiracy mentality and xenophobic attitudes.

The series Sirens plays cult life for laughs—but beneath the humor lies a disturbing truth. A psychologist explores how real-world manipulation tactics, from isolation to dependency, mirror the show's plot and reveal why leaving a cult is anything but simple.

A new study has found that people frequently described both relief from spiritual tension and the emergence of new spiritual struggles following psychedelic use.

A new study suggests that vivid encounters with perceived entities during ayahuasca experiences are associated with reduced atheism and increased spirituality, particularly among men. Before the experience, men were less religious—but gender differences disappeared afterward.

A new study sheds light on how ultra-Orthodox Jews who leave their religious communities face confusion, trauma, and vulnerability when navigating sexuality in secular society, often lacking the cultural knowledge needed for healthy relationships and sexual well-being.

Psychedelics are often described as spiritual tools—but do they change people’s religious beliefs? A large new study found that while psychedelic use was associated with religious disaffiliation, it did not cause lasting changes in religiosity or spirituality over time.

A new study finds that negative views of atheists may be less about moral disagreement and more about signaling group identity.