This volume was conceived as a way of bringing the study of religion closer to mainstream psychology. The authors touch on a range of psychological phenomena, including coping with stress, physical health, self-deception, consistency and rationalization, attachment and memory and distortion.

Volume 13, Number 3, 2002. Contents: INTRODUCTION: R. Baumeister, Religion and Psychology: Introduction to the Special Issue. TARGET ARTICLE: K. Pargament, The Bitter and the Sweet: An Evaluation of the Costs and Benefits of Religiousness. J.J. Exline, Stumbling Blocks on the Religious Road: Fractured Relationships, Nagging Vices, and the Inner Struggle to Believe. L.K. George, Explaining the Relationships Between Religious Involvement and Health. COMMENTARIES: D.M. Buss, Sex, Marriage, and Religion: What Adaptive Problems Do Religious Phenomena Solve? J.T. Cacioppo, M.E. Brandon, Religious Involvement and Health. E. Diener, D. Clifton, Life Satisfaction and Religiosity in Broad Probability Samples. B.L. Frederickson, How Does Religion Benefit Health and Well Being? Are Positive Emotions Active Ingredients? D.C. Funder, Why Study Religion? T. Joiner, M. Perez, R.L. Walker, Playing Devil's Advocate: Why Not Include That the Religion to Religiosity to Mental Health Reduces to Mundane Mediators? L.I. Pearlin, Some Institutional and Stress Process Perspectives on Religion and Health. D. Pizarro, P. Salovey, Religious Systems as "Emotionally Intelligent" Organizations. M. Ross, S. Konrath, Synergies. J.A. Simpson, The Ultimate Elixir? A.C. Snirbe, H.R. Markus, The Psychology of Religion and the Religion of Psychology. C.R. Snyder, D.R. Sigmon, D.B. Feldman, Hope for the Sacred and Vice Versa: Goal-Directed Thinking and Religion. AUTHOR'S RESPONSE: K. Pargament, Is Religion Nothing But...? Explaining Religion Versus Explaining Religion Away. J.J. Exline, The Picture Is Getting Clearer But Is the Scope Too Limited? Three Overlooked Questions in the Psychology of Religion.