A STUDY OF METHOD IN THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION: PSYCHOANALYTIC CONTRIBUTIONS FROM 1960 TO 1980

The purpose of this dissertation was to provide a description, analysis, synthesis and critique of the contributions of four specific methodological approaches to the psychoanalytic psychology of religion. The four methodologies chosen were: (1) the psychohistorical methodology as developed by Erik Erikson; (2) the dynamic methodology as developed by Paul Pruyser; (3) the clinical methodology as developed by Ana-Maria Rizzuto; and (4) the intuitive-speculative methodology as developed by Ann and Barry Ulanov.;The dissertation was divided into seven chapters. After establishing the context for the development of the psychoanalytic psychology of religion prior to 1960, the dissertation examined the four methodologies of Erikson, Pruyser, Rizzuto and Ulanov in depth. The final chapter presented summary and conclusions of the research and future trends in the psychoanalytic psychology of religion.;The research methodology was literary and theoretical. Using selected key representatives of four primary methodologies, the literature in the psychoanalytic psychology of religion was evaluated to discover and describe the essential ingredients of the authors' methodology. Issues explored include: the psychological and philosophical/theological presuppositions; continuity/discontinuity with psychoanalytic research methodology; the heuristic and problem-solving capabilities in the exploration and interpretation of religious experience; the use of case study as a methodology; and the manner in which the methodology has expanded the empirical and phenomenological debate.