Chapter 7 Exam - Psych & Christianity

Philosophical Anthropology

The study of what it means to be human.

Epistemology

The study of how we know what we know.

Cosmology

The study of the nature of the world.

Metaphysics

The study of fundamental reality (e.g., "Does God exist?").

Methodological Naturalism

A "method" that assumes we learn how things work by experiment.

Biopsychosocial

The view that humans are biological, psychological, and social beings.

Imago Dei

The idea that we are created in the "image of God."

Hermeneutics

The study of interpretation, especially of texts.

Teleological

Describing a purpose-driven direction or goal.

Soteriological

Having a concern for salvation.

What is the "cosmic speck" view of humanity?

Humankind is physically and temporally insignificant.

How does Psalm 8:3-5 ("what is mankind...") respond to that view?

God has created us for a purpose and created us to be honorable and valued individuals. 

List three of the "basic questions" that both psychology and theology try to answer about humanity:

What does it mean to be human?

How do we know what we know?

What is the nature of the world?

In your own words, what does it mean that every psychologist and theologian has an "antecedent worldview perspective"?

Fundamental and often unconscious set of beliefs that exists prior to a person's conscious, rational thought. This acts as a lens that shapes an individual's perception of reality.

What are the three main goals of psychology, according to the lecture?

Understand how things work (science).

Improve life by reduce suffering (clinical psychology).

Improve life by optimizing ideal conditions (positive psychology).

List the six main perspectives (or "lenses") of psychology:

Biological

Behavioral

Cognitive

Sociocultural

Evolutionary

Psychodynamic

Why isn't Clinical Psychology listed as one of those main perspectives?

It applies different perspectives and does not focus on the shaping aspects that humans are exposed to in everyday life.

Reflection: What is one major advantage of using psychology to understand people?

The mind controls all aspects of human life, so when you understand how the mind works better, you can understand humans better.

Reflection: What is one major limitation of using psychology to understand people?

Since everyone thinks differently and has their own specific mind, not all of psychology can explain all of humankind and their actions.

List three of the main ideals or goals of theology:

Understanding

Salvation

Sanctification

Meaning

Stewardship

Worship

What are the four key theological contributions to philosophical anthropology?

Humans are finite and dependent creatures.

Humans are created in the image of God.

Humans are fallen.

God loves us and longs to redeem all of creation.

Reflection: What is one major advantage of using theology to understand people?

It considers moral and ethical aspects that would not be considered otherwise.

Reflection: What is one major limitation of using theology to understand people?

Relies on what cannot be proven or seen by scientific reasoning.

The lecture concludes by asking how psychology and theology can interact. List the six models of interaction mentioned:

Enemies

Spies

Colonialists

Rebuilders

Neutral Parties

Allies