The literature of middle maturity with reference to psychology of religion
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Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this dissertation is to offer an organized and descriptive summary of the literature on "middle maturity" as a basis for formulating research hypotheses on this life-stage in the psychology of religion.
METHODOLOGY: The problem is developed in seven stages: (1) an eclectic survey of the discussion-oriented literature to introduce the reader to the dimensions of this life-stage; (2) an exhaustive survey of the "psychological" frames of reference; (3) a representative selection of the clinical observations (1941-55); (4) a comprehensive summary of the empirical research data (1946-60); (5) a comprehensive survey of the theoretical and empirical approaches to 11 religious experience and behavior" in middle maturity; (6) a survey of middle-aged persons reporting significant religious reorientations in autobiographies, biographies, and case studies with phenomenological description of two such reports; and (7) a presentation of research proposals for psychology of religion which have developed from the survey of the literature.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS: The following conclusions are offered in light of the survey of the literature: [TRUNCATED]
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University.
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