Hjalmar Sundén’s (1908-1993) Impact and Significance in the Psychology of Religion: Bringing a Forgotten theory to Light

Öz

The primary question addressed in this study is: "What contributions has Hjalmar Sundén made to the field of the psychology of religion?" In this context, the study explores both the content of Sundén's role theory and its functionality in explaining key topics within the psychology of religion, such as religious change and religious experience. The main goal is to introduce Sundén's role theory to Turkish academia. The study examines Sundén's innovations in the psychology of religion, the application of his theories, supporting research, criticisms, and the potential utility of his framework in Türkiye. Adopting the document analysis method, a qualitative research technique, the study draws on primary sources (Sundén's original works) and secondary sources (studies about Sundén). The data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis techniques. The article is organized around four main categories: "role theory," "religious development," "religious change," and "religious experience." These categories reflect the central themes of Sundén's role theory. Additionally, two supplementary categories were identified: "studies aimed at developing role theory" and "studies that question or test role theory." The findings reveal that Sundén introduced an interdisciplinary approach to the psychology of religion through his role theory, thereby strengthening its connections with general psychology and the history of religions. Sundén's theory underscores that religious experiences are perceptual processes shaped by an individual's prior experiences and cultural references. Key components of the theory include the psychological explanation of religious experiences, perceptual processes, religious socialization, and religious education. Sundén's role theory, which provides a psychological analysis of religious experiences and changes, offers a valuable framework for understanding religious phenomena within local and cultural contexts. Turkish psychology of religion can draw significant inspiration from this perspective. Furthermore, Sundén's qualitative research approach is highly adaptable to the Turkish context and has the potential to inspire the development of a localized role theory. His interdisciplinary perspective represents an important resource for advancing the field of psychology of religion in Turkey and for understanding the nuances of religious experiences in diverse cultural settings.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hjalmar Sundén
• Psychology of religion
• Role theory
• Religious experiences
• Interdisciplinary approach.

HJALMAR SUNDÉN’İN (1908-1993) DİN PSİKOLOJİSİNDEKİ YERİ VE DEĞERİ: UNUTULMUŞ BİR KURAMI GÜN YÜZÜNE ÇIKARMAK

Öz

“Hjalmar Sundén, din psikolojisi alanına nasıl bir katkı sağlamıştır?” sorusu bu çalışmanın temel problemini oluşturmaktadır. Bu bağlamda rol teorisinin hem muhtevası hem de din psikolojisinin temel araştırma konularından dinsel değişim ve dinsel tecrübeyi açıklamada işlevselliği sorgulanmaktadır. Çalışmanın amacı Sundén’in geliştirdiği rol teorisini, Türk akademisine tanıtmaktır. Sundén'in din psikolojisine getirdiği yenilikler, teorilerinin uygulanışı, destekleyici araştırmalar, eleştiriler ve Türkiye'deki potansiyel kullanımı irdelenmektedir. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden döküman analizi tekniğinin benimsendiği bu çalışmada veriler/bilgiler, Sundén’in eserlerinden (birinci elden kaynak) ve onun hakkında yapılan çalışmalardan (ikinci elden kaynak) toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler betimsel analiz ve içerik analizi teknikleriyle çözümlenmiştir. Makalede; “rol teorisi”, “dini gelişim”, “dinsel değişim”, ve “dinsel tecrübe” olmak üzere dört temel kategori üzerinden hareket edilmiştir. Bu kategoriler rol teorisinin temel vurgularını oluşturmaktadır. Bununla birlikte rol teorisini “geliştirmeye yönelik çalışmalar” ve “sorgulayan/test eden çalışmalar” şeklinde iki farklı kategori daha belirlenmiştir. Sonuca göre Sundén geliştirdiği rol teorisiyle din psikolojisi araştırmalarına disiplinler arası bir yaklaşım getirmiş, bu bağlamda genel psikoloji ve dinler tarihi ile olan ilişkilerini güçlendirmiştir. Sundén'in rol teorisi, dinsel deneyimlerin algısal bir süreç olduğunu ve bireyin önceki deneyimleri ve kültürel referanslarıyla şekillendiğini vurgular. Rol teorisinin temel unsurları arasında dini deneyimlerin psikolojik izahı, algısal süreçler, dini sosyalleşme ve dini eğitim bulunmaktadır. Dinsel deneyimleri ve dinsel değişimleri psikolojik olarak inceleyen Sundén’in rol teorisi, yerel ve kültürel bağlamda dini deneyimi anlamak için potansiyel bir araç olabilir ve Türk din psikolojisi bu perspektiften önemli ilhamlar alabilir. Sundén'in rol teorisi, dini deneyimleri anlamak ve din psikolojisi araştırmalarına disiplinler arası bir bakış açısı getirmek için önemli bir kaynaktır ve Türk din psikolojisi alanında potansiyel katkılar sağlayabilir. Sundén'in nitel araştırma yaklaşımı, Türk din psikolojisine uygulanabilir ve yerel bir rol teorisi geliştirmede ilham verici olabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hjalmar Sundén
• Din psikolojisi
• Rol teorisi
• Dini deneyimler
• Disiplinler arası yaklaşım.

Kaynakça

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