Study Guides

Unit Summary

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.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain why religion may be hard to define and apply one way that scholars have found to define it.

Key Notes

• It can be difficult to define religion.
• Several scholars have constructed their own definitions.
• The Three B's is one framework to classify religions.
• Lived experience of religion may not not align with these definitions.
• One way to study religion and worldviews is social science.

Vocabulary To Learn

• behaviour: how someone acts, the things they do
• belief: an acceptance that something is true without having to have proof. The verb of belief is believe
• belonging: being part of something bigger than yourself
• religion: a set of attitudes, beliefs and practices. People who follow a religion are known as religious
• ritual: a way of doing something with the same actions in the same way, each time

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Religions are always to do with belief in a God or gods.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Cognitive science of religion Study Guide
• Possible psychological benefits of religion Study Guide
• Possible psychological explanations for religion Study Guide
• Religion as nature or nurture Study Guide
• The temporal lobe Study Guide