The psychological study of religion in the United States illustrates confusions and similarities that exist between psychology and religion. It also focuses on different views provided by psychologists as they address areas of living that have personal implications. Following the early period, American psychology's push toward behaviorism resulted in the neglect of spiritual matters. The reductionism methods of behaviorism left little room for matters of faith, or for any other theoretical constructs that were not measured directly. Thus, psychology left religion for other topics that were considered to be more scientific and several decades of neglect resulted.
Talking about the historical background, psychologist interest in religion resumed in the 1950's. Gordon Allport's tried to describe the role of religion in people's experience began his indelible mark on the field, and to this day his Intrinsic-Extrinsic distinction in religious motivation remains the most influential approach in psychological studies of religion in the United States. In the years since then, several developments have combined to suggest, according to the traditional view of psychology of religion, that the fields is experiencing a resurgence of interest. These include the establishment of professional journals giving an outlet to psychological study of religion, and the apparently increasing availability of college classes focusing on psychology of religion.
Ralph Hood-one of the renowned American psychologists, suggests six psychological schools of thought regarding religion. The psycho-analytical schools draw from the work of Freud, and attempt to reveal unconscious motives for religious belief. Although Freud reduced religious belief to a natural, if ultimately flawed, attempt to cope with life's stresses; contemporary psychoanalytic interpretations are not necessarily hostile to religious faith. Analytical schools find their inspiration in Jung's-a Swiss psychologist (1875-1961), description of spiritual life. Most psychologists, however, consider such descriptions to be undemonstrated by scientific research, and therefore it plays a limited role in psychology. Object relations school also draws from psychoanalysis, but focus their efforts on maternal influences on the child. Each of these three schools rely on clinical case studies and other descriptive methods based on small samples, which runs counter to the prevailing practice of psychology in America. Transpersonal schools attempts to confront spiritually directly, often with the assumption that spiritual phenomena are real. They utilize a variety of methods in an attempt to study transcendent experience. Phenomenological schools focus on the assumptions underlying religious experience and on the commonalties of the experiences. They favor description and critical reflection over experimentation and measurement.
Among research psychologist the tension in assumptions will, in all likelihood, continue. As neuropsychological, evolutionary psychology and other sub-fields continue to advance, the difference between knowledge gained by scientific and religious means will remain evident. Psychologist interested in religion may address these gaps by developing successful theory and research. For example, attachment theory can be seen in terms compatible with evolutionary psychology. The distinction between psychology of religion, which emphasizes how psychology enlightens our understanding of religion, and religious psychology, emphasizing religious interpretation of psychology, has been a long-standing issue in the field, and it is an issue that will not go away soon.
As stated by Baston, "the psychological study of religion is a meaningful area of psychology in America. It is relevant to our understanding of people because it addresses an important facet of life in America, with more than 90% of Americans professing belief in God, and the vast majority of citing specific religious preferences". It offers a rich source of material for the study of attitudes, coping, and altruism and may other phenomena of general interest to psychologists. It also challenges the psychologist's ingenuity to conduct research on constructs that cannot easily be studied experimentally. At a more abstract level, the link between psychology and religion helps psychology maintain its historical connection with philosophy. As psychologist seek to employ the techniques of the natural sciences, the psychology of religion reminds us that our roots are in philosophy, and that the assumption we make regarding our subject matter have important implication for our science.