God images and god concepts: Definitions, development, and dynamics.

Abstract

Within the god-image literature, there is semantic ambiguity surrounding god-image-related terms. For example, some authors have written of the God image and the God concept (referring to the former as the emotional experience of divine attachment figures such as God, Allah, or Jesus; e.g., Lawrence, 1997), whereas others have written of God images and God concepts (referring to the former as affect-laden mental/neural representations of divine attachment figures; e.g., Davis, 2010). For the god-image literature to continue growing and maturing, definitional consensus and conceptual clarity are needed. Therefore, in this article, we present working definitions of the terms god images and god concepts, with proposed conceptual contrasts. We also summarize the four attachment-based conceptualizations of god-image development and dynamics, highlighting the implicit-relational-knowing correspondence hypothesis (Hall, Fujikawa, Halcrow, Hill, & Delaney, 2009). Last, we propose a model of the schematic activation of god images, based on Cognitive-Affective Processing System theory (Mischel & Shoda, 2008).

The Relationship of Self-Compassion with Perfectionistic Self-Presentation, Perceived Forgiveness, and Perceived Social Support in an Undergraduate Christian Community

“…Although it can be helpful to think of one's own flaws in a mindful way, a focus on sin can be detri mental, leading to a view of God and others as dis tant, cold, or judgmental (Davis et al, 2013;Exline et al, 2000;Exline et al, 2015). Individuals with low self-compassion may expect harshness from God and others, believing they are not worthy of forgiveness or support, which in turn drastically influences their God-images.…”

God image narrative therapy: A mixed-methods investigation of a controlled group-based spiritual intervention.

“…In contrast, God images are implicational religious cognitions (e.g., affect-laden, experiential, heart knowledge) that underlie the ways people experientially relate to God. That is, God images refer to the relational and emotional God representations that underlie one's embodied, emotional experience in perceived relationship to God (Davis et al, 2013(Davis et al, , 2016Hall & Fujikawa, 2013;Moriarty & Davis, 2012;Rizzuto, 1979). Whereas God concepts tend to be more belief-oriented (i.e., affect-light, cortically dominant), God images tend to be more emotionoriented (i.e., affect-laden, subcortically dominant).…”

The Role of Theistic Spirituality in Adolescent Girls' Body Esteem: A Pilot Outcome Study

“…God image is an internal working model of a divine attachment figure that yields an implicit knowing of how to perceive and be in relationship with a divine figure (Davis, Moriarty, & Mauch, 2013). Early experiences with caregivers shape one's God image, yet God image remains malleable throughout one's life span (Davis et al, 2013;Lawrence, 1997;O'Grady & Richards, 2007). Recent research has shown that one's relationship with God is a strong predictor of body image (M. E. L. Hall & Boyatzis, 2016).…”