Empirical Research
July 23rd, 2007[Editor's note: This is the last entry from our July blogger, Mark Yarhouse. Thanks Mark for raising some good questions here and in your previous posts.]
Is there a place for empirical research in Christian psychology? This may seem like a strange question, but I have noticed that much of what I read about a distinctively Christian psychology is theoretical. It is often tied to philosophical and theological perspectives on psychology. This has been valuable to me and, I think, to many others.
Empirical research is the currency of modern psychology, at least academic psychology. Some would say it ought to be the currency of clinical psychology, both academic and in actual practice, particularly with recent efforts to identify “best practices” and empirically supported treatments.
Will Christian psychology use a similar currency? What are the benefits to relying upon empirical research and what are the limitations? I do not think of myself as a hard core researcher, but I do see its value, and I hope Christians will not shy away from conducting good research on various elements of a Christian psychology. As I think back to my first blog, I had quoted Alvin Plantinga in his inaugural address as he began at Notre Dame. He spoke of integration for philosophers, and I applied it to psychologists. What I want to point out this week is that he also included that we would have our own research program. We should think about this as psychologists. What is the research program for a Christian psychology? More accurately, what are some of the research programs for a distinctively Christian psychology? What would we benefit from studying?
Also, will a distinctively Christian psychology value both quantitative and qualitative methods? I would say it would depend upon the research being conducted, but I can certainly see the value in both approaches. What has kept research from having more of a prominent role in the early stages of Christian psychology?
July 25th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Colleagues:
It is my very humble opinion that it is our responsibility to do relevant and ethical research from a Christian psychological perspective for two reasons:
1) The language of the scientific community is research — whether we like that or not. I believe it behooves us, as Christian psychologists, to let our voice be heard. I think we run the risk of getting sloppy with our theories and “opinions” if we do not put our theories to the test — so to speak.
And 2) As Christian psychologists, we have a wealth of knowledge to offer to the field of psychology — because we carry and walk under the banner of the King! He is the best psychologist I know.
For those of you who may be shaking your head at my comments — it may give you comfort to know that I am new to the field — only 3 1/2 years from earning my Ph.D. and only a little over a year and a half’s worth of experience at my first Asst. Professorship at a Christian College. But I am in the thick of research to investigate the effectiveness of a Biblically based 12-step group therapy process for adult survivors of childhood abuse. There are far too many people who can benefit from this form of group therapy, and I, for one, desire that it be available to all the survivors who have experienced a deaf ear and/or cold response to this need. For them, the church has not been a safe place. I want to know empirically that there is help and hope so that these dear people are not re-wounded in their quest for healing.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:01 am
I appreciate what you are saying, Christine. I hope we will not shy away from conducting research in Christian psychology. It will be interesting to see if how we conduct the research will differ – in terms of operationalizing variables, measuring success, and so on.
August 8th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I think solid research will be vital to Christian psychology. I’ve found myself frustrated in reviewing “studies” published by various Christian organizations when I find that they have not followed basic, sound principles of research. This only hurts Christian psychology.
I’ll be excited to see your results Christine because I agree that we need to hold ourselves accountable and demonstrate that our theories can be tested and supported (or not) by conducting scientific studies. I don’t think “how” we do research will look that much different compared to secular research; the key does lie in operationalizing variables, evaluating change via empirically validated/objective instruments that are accepted in the scientific community versus personal opinion, using control groups, controlling for moderator and mediator variables, etc. Being careful to project causation because there is a correlation, etc.
Gotta run. So looking forward to this Society and the ongoing dialogue.
Jody Hagen
August 11th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Christine
I appreciate your response. I am a nurse of many years and currently in a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Empirical data from research is all that we use for discussions and writing. I am so in need of finding the Biblical solutions for many human conditions. We need to be credible in what we say and how we approach these issues. Thank you for your ideas.
August 11th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Mark:
This issue is a direct outgrowth of a poor conceptualization of what a Christian Psychology should be. I have spent 20 years teaching that Christian Psychology is the empirical investigation of hypotheses derived from Scripture. We know all too well that people will attack one another tooth and claw over verious “readings” of the Scripture. When we are able to recast our understandings in testable terms, then these positions can be empirically tested. While some will stand agast at such a definition, I ask you: What IS Natural Theology except looking at God’s Creation in an attempt to better understand Him? This is exactly what a Christian Psychology is well-positioned to speak to. If we don’t chicken out. Yes, it is easy to speak ‘theoretically’. But when we do only that, how are we different from the Philosophers? Psychology branched out because it demanded that we ‘count the horse’s teeth’. We need to look and see if it is really so.
Thus, I see the very asking of this question as an indication that “Christian Psycholgy” is has gotten lost in the high weeds and needs to be brought home to it’s true mission.
November 17th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I have mixed feelings about the use of research as a way to keep pace or “add credibility” to our endeavors as Christian Psychologists. On one hand, the classical scientific method is an uncomfortable model on which to base our discoveries, because we believe there are ways of ‘knowing’ that aren’t based in empiricism, but on faith. On the other hand, if all truth is God’s truth, then ultimately quality research will result in revelation, right? So, what happens when the outcomes of our research using basic scientific methodology clearly contradicts Scripture? Would we not assume the research or methodology is somehow flawed? If so, wouldn’t our unwillingness to subsequently question scripture bring us scorn in secular scientific circles? I believe by trying to play their game on their terms, we would ultimately weaken the mission of a distinctively Christian psychology.
I am speaking in generalities here, and certainly not addressing research that supports or develops “best practice” models such that being conducted by Dr. Browning, which is an invaluable endeavor.
I don’t know the answer, but I believe the types of research questions we develop is important. Hypothesis which are meant to add scientific support to a well accepted tenet of basic Christianity runs an inherent risk, simply because we are not seeking new knowledge, we are seeking affirmative knowledge. Ultimately, if the conclusions are not affirmative, we will likely assume methodological flaws, not scriptural error. This is a completely different model, the value of which may be rich within our domain, but not likely to gain significant support within the traditional research community. Thoughts??
Ken Jones, LMSW, PsyD Candidate
Argosy University-Dallas