an acceptance that something is true without having to have proof. The verb of belief is believe

being part of something bigger than yourself

a set of attitudes, beliefs and practices. People who follow a religion are known as religious

a way of doing something with the same actions in the same way, each time

Defining religion

Religious education

In this unit there is a choice. Through a social science lens, pupils consider how psychologists analyse the phenomenon of religion. Or they may study the flowering of philosophy at the time of the Enlightenment through a depth study of Hobbes and Rousseau and their ideas of religion and society.

Psychology of religion or Religion and political philosophy

the scientific study of the mind and behaviour

when an animal or human assumes another being is causing a natural event

the scientific study of how the mind works, functions and behaves

something that exists beyond the laws of nature

a widely held but irrational belief in supernatural influences such as good and bad luck being caused by behaviours

Cognitive science of religion

a medical condition where a person has repeated fits or episodes caused by unusual brain activity

the study of how the brain and nervous system work; a neuroscientist is a person who studies this

a personal feeling or moment when someone believes they connect with a higher power or God

the way that human or animal bodies gather information about the world around them

a part of the brain that helps with hearing, memory and understanding language

The temporal lobe

the biological and genetic aspects of a person that they are born with

the influence of learning such as upbringing and environment on a person's development

something which is decided in advance and not down to chance

the way that parents and carers may raise children to be part of a religion

the process beginning in childhood where a person learns how to fit in with their society’s rules and behaviours

Religion as nature or nurture

a spirit or being (such as God) that has great power and that can affect nature and the lives of people

a state of wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and contribute to their community

the practice of maintaining a moment by moment awareness of our thoughts

the act or ceremony of speaking to and communicating with God, a god or higher power

not having any connection with religion or spiritual things

Possible psychological benefits of religion

the belief that there is some continued existence for those who have physically died

the inner sense of right and wrong that guides a person's decisions

something a person believes to be true so strongly that it doesn't matter whether it is or not

basic human impulses and desires everyone is born with, such as to eat

deep human needs and desires which religion can satisfy

Psychology of religion or Religion and political philosophy

Psychology: is our brain designed to believe?

Choose a lesson (6)

These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.