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Psychology and religious thought - it's the same isn't it - or not?
Hard to separate really.
There is no factual evidence for any God, and often some realms of psychology are only theoretical.
Most people follow some kind of archetypal principle, why?
How did DNA allow us to end up with these thought patterns - did God (however you see this idea) plan/allow for this to happen, or did it just end up this way?
Can all religious though be explained away by psychology?
Religion uses psychology (as informally understood, usually) to manipulate and control the sheeple. That doesn't make them the same. There is overlap of course. To the extent you understand how the human mind works and can be fooled, comforted, or distressed, you can use that knowledge to devise and/or present religious teachings. To the extent that psychology (say, especially, Jungian psychology) uses archetype and legend and the like, and codifies symbolisms that the mind understands, it has some similarities to religion; in fact, Jung himself was quite taken with eastern religious thought.
I would say the factual basis for psychology, while flaky at times, is more substantial than the basis of religion. At least it's based on the (mis)understanding and (mis)interpretation of observable human behaviors rather than something that's based on imagined relationships with celestial beings. Some of psychology (Lacan, for instance) is as impenetrable as theology; some (Jung and Freud) can be as fanciful and subjective as some aspects of religious teaching; some (cognitive behavior therapy) is more scientific-seeming however. Certainly psychology as informed by recent understanding of brain function is making some actual contributions to reducing human suffering. I have some hope for psychology; I have no hope at all for religion.
Psychology and religious thought - it's the same isn't it - or not?
Hard to separate really.
There is no factual evidence for any God, and often some realms of psychology are only theoretical.
Most people follow some kind of archetypal principle, why?
How did DNA allow us to end up with these thought patterns - did God (however you see this idea) plan/allow for this to happen, or did it just end up this way?
Can all religious though be explained away by psychology?
Psychology? like published studies and tested hypothesis?
What kind of question is this? Psychology as a science has nothing to do with religion, in fact it provides alternative explanations to religious beliefs (schizophrenia vs. demonic possession, for example).
If someone close to you was diagnosed with a severe mental illness, would you rather he be treated by a priest or by a psychologist?
What kind of question is this? Psychology as a science has nothing to do with religion, in fact it provides alternative explanations to religious beliefs (schizophrenia vs. demonic possession, for example).
If someone close to you was diagnosed with a severe mental illness, would you rather he be treated by a priest or by a psychologist?
As a person with a degree in Psychology, I can assure you that psychology is not a science. It is an art. My dergree is not a master of science (MS), but a master of arts (MA)
OTOH Severe mental illness is a medical condition that needs to be treated with drugs and a treatment program. Time spent in a facility, usually under the H&S code of 5150 in many states. Something a mere psychologist is not trained or qualified to treat. No, we are talking about what a psychiatrist does. A person who is an MD. Someone who can prescibe drugs or commit a person to a hospital.
Light or medium mental illness is treated by chating with a counselor, who is either a psychologist or a pastor. Equally effective or usless.
As a person with a degree in Psychology, it is not a science. It is an art. Severe mental illness is a medical condition that needs to be treated with drugs and a treatment program. Time spent in a facility, usually under the H&S code of 5150 in many states. Something a mere psychologist is not trained or qualified to treat. No, we are talking about what a psychiatrist does. A person who is an MD. Someone who can prescibe drugs or commit a person to a hospital.
Light or medium mental illness is treated by chating with a counselor, who is either a psychologist or a pastor.
My mistake, I meant someone with a mentall illness that doesn't require medication or hospitalization.
I don't know what your definition of science is but psychology is most definitely a science under any mainstream definition.
As a person with a degree in Psychology, I can assure you that psychology is not a science. It is an art. My dergree is not a master of science (MS), but a master of arts (MA)
OTOH Severe mental illness is a medical condition that needs to be treated with drugs and a treatment program. Time spent in a facility, usually under the H&S code of 5150 in many states. Something a mere psychologist is not trained or qualified to treat. No, we are talking about what a psychiatrist does. A person who is an MD. Someone who can prescibe drugs or commit a person to a hospital.
Light or medium mental illness is treated by chating with a counselor, who is either a psychologist or a pastor. Equally effective or usless.
Another Psychologist here. Although I was not in the field of clinical Psych. My background was Physiological Psychology and did require a Pre-Med and Biology Background. It was very much a science. Although to be honest during my working years, quite often when people saw the name psychologist I often found myself cast into the role of being a social worker.
Other fields of Psychology that require a strong science background are:
The application and practice of the work of psychology is an art. You can't put a person into a bottle and add salt and then shake and get the desired result.
You talk, you observe, you give your input, you ask how the client feels, you ask them what they think and make a suggestion and hope it works. Listen and nod.
That's how it is. Pastor or Psychologist. If you have the knack and skill the end result is the same. One major difference is that 80% of psychologists had mental issues and were helped by psychologists and decided to become counselors. Not so pastors, The dark secrect of the field. Not that these folks can't help. The principle of it takes one to know one applies. Ex druggies are the best counselors for druggies.
Now you know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodrow LI
Another Psychologist here. Although I was not in the field of clinical Psych. My background was Physiological Psychology and did require a Pre-Med and Biology Background. It was very much a science. Although to be honest during my working years, quite often when people saw the name psychologist I often found myself cast into the role of being a social worker.
Other fields of Psychology that require a strong science background are:
Tests & Measurements
Experimental Psychology
Comparative Psychology
Science, well kind of, yea, but the practice is most definetly an art in its application and practice..
Can all religious though be explained away by psychology?
Yes, 100%
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