Virtues in Positive Psychology and the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Abstract

In this chapter, we explore the overlap and intersections of research on virtue within the fields of positive psychology and the psychology of religion and spirituality. Research involving the study of virtue in tandem with religion and spirituality is presented, in order to guide future scholarship at the crossroads of positive psychology, religion, and spirituality. Intersections including trait taxonomies, cultural ideals, cultural practices, goal pursuit, context-specific emotions, and narrative identity make virtue research an optimal hub for integration. This chapter is applicable to work in faith communities, psychoeducation, and clinical work. For faith communities, it summarizes empirical research into the ways religion and spirituality can help or undermine virtue development. For people seeking psychoeducation, we outline the history of virtue research in tandem with the psychology of religion and spirituality, providing historical context for understanding virtue development. Finally, for clinical practitioners, we describe the strengths-based model of clinical practice—introduced by humanistic psychology and popularized by positive psychology—which shifted away from the medical model of psychology that dominated the twentieth century.