Information Package / Course Catalogue
Psychology of Religion
Course Code: İLH214
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

It aims to provide students with the ability to look at religious issues from a human perspective, to be aware of their own religious experiences and behaviors, and to make predictions and comments about the religious worlds of others.

Course Content

This course explores the basic concepts, historical development, methodologies, and key areas of inquiry within the psychology of religion. It examines the psychological foundations of phenomena such as religious belief, religiosity, prayer, worship, and faith, which shape an individual's inner life. The course addresses the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of religiosity and discusses their effects on personality development, social adjustment, and mental health. It also investigates religious development across life stages—including childhood, adolescence, and adulthood—as well as issues such as religious doubt and unbelief from a psychological standpoint. Topics such as fear of death, the psychological functions of prayer and worship, theories of religious motivation, and the role of religion in psychological well-being are also included. The course aims to provide a comprehensive and scientific understanding of the psychological impact of religion on human life.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Research in the psychology of religion, collecting and interpreting information from domestic and foreign sources and applies methods and techniques.
2.Recognizes the history and important representatives of the psychology of religion.
3.Uses the scientific methods of the psychology of religion to interpret human nature.
4.Analyzes and evaluates the researches in the field in terms of method and content; To be aware of the similarities and differences between the fields of psychology and psychology of religion.
5.It critically approaches the views put forward within the framework of contemporary theories that deal with various aspects of religious life and behavior.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Hökelekli, H. (2020). Introduction to the Psychology of Religion (8th ed.). Istanbul: DEM Publishing.
2.-Hökelekli, H. (2008). Psychology of Religion (7th ed.). Ankara: Turkish Religious Foundation Publishing.
3.Tokur, B. (2020). The Psychology of Religion with Classical and Contemporary Topics. Ankara: Sonçağ Academy.
4.Ayten, A. (2017). Psychology of Religion: Psychological Approaches to Religion and Spirituality (4th ed.). Istanbul: İz Publishing.
5.Certel, H. (2011). Psychology of Religion. Isparta: Tuğra Offset.
6.Karacoşkun, M. D. (2021). Handbook of the Psychology of Religion (6th ed.). Ankara: Grafiker Publishing.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The Relationship Between the Psychology of Religion and Other Theological Disciplines, and the Historical Development of Psychology as a Science
Week 1 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 2 - Theoretical
Psychologists’ Views on Religion and Human Nature
Week 2 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 3 - Theoretical
The Science of the Psychology of Religion and Its Development in Türkiye
Week 3 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Sources of Religiosity
Week 4 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 5 - Theoretical
Dimensions of Religious Life
Week 5 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 6 - Theoretical
Psychology of Belief
Week 6 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 7 - Theoretical
Psychology of Religious Development
Week 7 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 8 - Theoretical
Psychology of Worship and Morality
Week 8 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 9 - Theoretical
Personality and Religion
Week 9 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 10 - Theoretical
Religion and Values
Week 10 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 11 - Theoretical
Family Psychology and Religion
Week 11 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 12 - Theoretical
Health and Religion
Week 12 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 13 - Theoretical
Religious Conversion, Apostasy, and Spiritual Transformation
Week 13 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Week 14 - Theoretical
Sufi Psychology (or Psychology of Sufism), and General Evaluation
Week 14 - Preparation Work
Reading Book, Web and Library Search
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142256
Assignment1224
Seminar1224
Individual Work141128
Midterm Examination1224
Final Examination1224
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)100
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
PÇ-19
PÇ-20
OÇ-1
4
3
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
OÇ-2
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
OÇ-3
4
3
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
OÇ-4
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
OÇ-5
3
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026