Principles of Psychology in Religious Context

Psychological and Spiritual Origins of Human Behavior

E. Rae Harcum

This book asserts that the better one understands the causes of behavior, the better one can apply that knowledge to produce a better world. It describes the mechanisms that cause human behavior, such as freedom of will, in a manner consistent with religious beliefs. It also asserts that all avenues for studying human behavior, like intuition and prayer, are acceptable and necessary. Thus, when studying the agent of human action, we must rely on faith, logic, and intuition, in addition to the full use of empirical science. Principles of Psychology for People of God begins with a description of the nervous system and continues with chapters on development, perception, internal states, learning, memory, and the ultimate selection of behaviors. Nevertheless, it steadfastly emphasizes that behavior is not produced by physical mechanisms alone, but also by a non-material spirit that can transcend some inheritances and environments.

Hamilton Books

Pages: 210 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7618-6045-7 • Paperback • December 2012 • $51.99 • (£40.00)

978-0-7618-6046-4 • eBook • December 2012 • $49.00 • (£38.00)

Subjects: Religion / Psychology of Religion, Philosophy / Free Will & Determinism, Religion / Christian Ministry / Adult, Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Education

Principles of Psychology in Religious Context

Psychological and Spiritual Origins of Human Behavior

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This book asserts that the better one understands the causes of behavior, the better one can apply that knowledge to produce a better world. It describes the mechanisms that cause human behavior, such as freedom of will, in a manner consistent with religious beliefs. It also asserts that all avenues for studying human behavior, like intuition and prayer, are acceptable and necessary. Thus, when studying the agent of human action, we must rely on faith, logic, and intuition, in addition to the full use of empirical science. Principles of Psychology for People of God begins with a description of the nervous system and continues with chapters on development, perception, internal states, learning, memory, and the ultimate selection of behaviors. Nevertheless, it steadfastly emphasizes that behavior is not produced by physical mechanisms alone, but also by a non-material spirit that can transcend some inheritances and environments.

Details

Hamilton Books

Pages: 210 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7618-6045-7 • Paperback • December 2012 • $51.99 • (£40.00)

978-0-7618-6046-4 • eBook • December 2012 • $49.00 • (£38.00)

Subjects: Religion / Psychology of Religion, Philosophy / Free Will & Determinism, Religion / Christian Ministry / Adult, Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Education

Author

E. Rae Harcum, Ph.D., is a professional psychologist and a long-time member of a Protestant denomination. He taught psychology at the college level for many years. Harcum has authored many journal articles in psychology and several books on psychology and religion.

Table of Contents

Biblical Message
List of Figures and Tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: The Nervous System
Chapter 3: Development
Chapter 4: Believing
Chapter 5: Directing
Chapter 6: Selecting
Chapter 7: Learning and Teaching
Chapter 8: Memory and Retrieval
References
Glossary
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Author