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

Religious education

Defining religion

Cognitive science of religion

The temporal lobe

Religion as nature or nurture

Possible psychological explanations for religion

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

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

speaking or communicating with a higher power

not having any connection with religion or spiritual things 

having a moment by moment awareness of our thoughts 

Match the key terms below to the correct definitions.

What term means a state of wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and contribute to their society? 

According to a 2019 National Volunteer survey (UK), what percentage of people found that their mental health had improved since they started volunteering? 

Which of these is a religious practice which could be linked to good mental health? 

What did Carl Jung suggest to Rowland Hazard to help him overcome his addictions? 

volunteering is always connected to a religious belief 

mindfulness is always a secular activity 

writing daily gratitudes is always a religious activity 

both religious and secular activities can help people feel connected to others 

Which of these statements is most accurate? 

What does it mean to be grateful for something? 

What practice involves focusing the mind, often to achieve a calm and relaxed state?

What is a condition where someone can't control the urge to engage in a certain behaviour or use a substance, despite negative consequences?

that people are able to spend eternity with God in heaven after death

that people have a time of waiting after death before moving on 

that people are reincarnated into other living things after death

that people cease to exist at death and do not live on in any way 

Which of these is **not** typically a religious belief about the afterlife? 

What term refers to information or facts used to support a claim?

Possible psychological benefits of religion

Lesson outcome

Content guidance