What every psychologists practitioner should know about atheist people and atheism Article

Martínez-Taboas, A, Varas-Díaz, N, López-Garay, D et al. (2011). What every psychologists practitioner should know about atheist people and atheism . 45(2), 203-210.

cited authors

  • Martínez-Taboas, A; Varas-Díaz, N; López-Garay, D; Hernández-Pereira, L

fiu authors

abstract

  • In this article the authors review what is currently known about the socio-demographic profiles of atheists, and examine assumptions that have circulated in the psychological literature. The authors document that historically speaking, atheists have been characterized as neurotic and unstable. Nevertheless, evidence published in the last decade does not support such characterizations. On the contrary, not only do atheists do not present such psychopathology, they show more cognitive flexibility when addressing other minority groups. The authors also demonstrate that at a macro-social level, societies that are more secular lead the world with regards to societal health. The authors propose that psychologists must understand the idiosyncrasies of atheists and distance themselves from the long trajectory of discrimination and prejudice that until now have characterized the approach of our discipline toward this minority population.

publication date

  • December 1, 2011

start page

  • 203

end page

  • 210

volume

  • 45

issue

  • 2