Year 8 - Religious education
Possible psychological benefits of religion
Psychology: is our brain designed to believe?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 how religious beliefs and practices could support someone's mental health and give different perspectives on this.
Key Notes
- Some evidence suggests religious belief can be beneficial for mental health.
- Some evidence suggests religious practices can be beneficial for mental health.
- Some people may dispute the claim that religion is beneficial for mental heath.
Vocabulary To Learn
- higher power: a spirit or being (such as God) that has great power and that can affect nature and the lives of people
- mental health: a state of wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life and contribute to their community
- mindfulness: the practice of maintaining a moment by moment awareness of our thoughts
- prayer: the act or ceremony of speaking to and communicating with God, a god or higher power
- secular: not having any connection with religion or spiritual things
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That all forms of religious belief and practices will have mental health benefits.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Some evidence suggests religious belief can be beneficial for mental health. Some evidence suggests religious practices can be beneficial for mental health.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'higher power'
a spirit or being (such as God) that has great power and that can affect nature and the lives of people.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: That all forms of religious belief and practices will have mental health benefits. Correction: Religion is a very broad term and different beliefs and practices will have different effects on different individuals.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Religious education guide library.