James Flashcards
Who is William James?
American psychologist and philosopher
Founding figure of the American Psychological Association (APA)
What is the key text authored by William James?
The Varieties of Religious Experience (published 1902)
Pioneered the ‘psychology of religion’
What is James’s stance on Freud’s ‘Sexual Theory’ of Religion?
James strongly objects to discrediting religious life based on its origins in sex or aberrant psychology
What term does James use to describe the approach that undermines religion by labeling it a symptom of disease?
Medical materialism (or ‘nothing-but-ism’)
What is James’s working definition of religion?
An attitude toward an unseen reality
What are the two types of religious experiences identified by James?
- First-hand
- Second-hand
What characterizes ‘healthy-minded’ religion according to James?
Optimism, joy, positivity, and a stress on goodness of life
What defines ‘sick-souled’ (melancholic) religion?
Pessimism, awareness of sin, and yearning for ultimate meaning
What are the characteristics of ‘mixed’ or ‘twice-born’ types of religious personalities?
Individuals who move from conflicted states to a unified spiritual orientation through conversion
What are the four characteristics of mystical experiences according to James?
- Ineffability
- Noetic Quality
- Transiency
- Passivity
What psychological effects can genuine religious experiences yield?
- Sense of safety
- Greater earnestness
- Heroism and moral vigor
- Zest or enthusiasm for life
What is the legacy of James’s work?
The Varieties of Religious Experience remains influential in psychology and religious studies
