About

01 About the Objects of Spiritual Yearning Project

The Objects of Spiritual Yearning project collaborates with spiritual individuals and communities to accurately represent their experiences in scientific research. Spirituality often carries varied meanings, so we adopt an inclusive approach to reflect this diversity. Our research explores:

  • What spirituality looks like across different beliefs and practices

  • Whether, and in what ways spirituality may influence personal beliefs, behaviors, and relationships

02 Context

According to a Pew report, around 33% of Americans identify as spiritual, with similar numbers found in the UK and other Western countries. This trend is growing worldwide, with many finding space in less traditional cultural structures.

Scientific literature has historically entangled religion and spirituality - but our understanding of ‘religion’ need not directly apply to spirituality. Here, we are addressing the unique psychological and cultural processes that shape modern-day spiritualities in their own right.

03 Approach

The project brings together insights from philosophy, developmental psychology, social psychology, and cultural evolutionary theory, focusing on three main questions:

  1. What does it mean to be spiritual, and who identifies as spiritual?
    Our project aims to identify whether ‘being spiritual’ represents a stable set of psychological characteristics, and how this might vary within and across cultures. 

  2. How are these spiritual worldviews transmitted, especially in spiritual families?
    Our project aims to understand how individuals navigate an immense spiritual marketplace in learning what works for them; and the aspirations and challenges parents face in nurturing the spiritual beliefs, practices and values of their children.  

  3. How do these spiritual worldviews influence other aspects of individuals’ lives?
    Our research is designed to identify whether, and in what ways, spirituality impacts one’s sense of meaning and morality. 

04 Core Motivations

Our project aims to:

  • Identify the diversity in spiritual beliefs and practices in diverse cultural contexts

  • Understand the distinct aspects of spirituality separate from religion

  • Examine the processes by which individuals learn about spirituality, and how spirituality is culturally transmitted