Psychology & Christianity: Transformational Psychology

Virginia Nielsen LMHC/LPC

Psychology & Christianity: Transformational View

Integrating and using Christian worldviews in psychology, research, and counseling can be challenging for secular providers and researchers. Most Universities do not include faith or religion in their teachings. Students leave universities with a degree that needs to teach them how to integrate their faith into secular teaching. This essay will address these challenges, educate the reader on the Transformational Psychology view, how the student incorporates the Christian worldview into her practice, describes emotional intelligence from a secular perspective and religious perspective, how the Fall of Adam and Eve impacts her proposed study and how this student will incorporate faith and Christian worldview into her proposed study.  

History of Transformational Psychology

There has been a divide between Christianity and psychology since psychology was defined as its own science, separate from other forms of science and Christianity. Science is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world. It is done through the use of observation and experimentation. Followed by; the testing of theories against evidence obtained by science (Oxford Languages, 2023). Christianity is a religious belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Humans are a replica of God and Jesus here on Earth, put here to follow and obey the laws God bestowed on us. To guide and provide a path for us to follow to find our way back to Heaven. With that said, Christianity and psychology can belong together under one umbrella.

            Using the transformational psychology model, the researcher or psychologist conducts research within a history or tradition of psychology and a new spirit. It is grounded in reality, including reality influenced by faith. It is essential to see research in psychology with a base view of faith and psychology traditions (Johnson, 2010). Using the transformational psychology model, the researcher would experience faith by acknowledging that God exists; we are created in the image of God; to rule and understand God and his creation. Humans are fundamental, relational beings, and humans are sinners and can be saved through his grace. In God's eyes, the end or purpose of Life in Christ is to love our neighbors, love God, glorify him forever, and be transformed into the image of Christ; by the means of the Holy Spirit and its union (Johnson, 2010).  

The foundation of transformational psychology comes from the history or traditions of psychology, the individuals working in psychology alongside the spirit of Heavenly Father, the same individuals doing psychology grounded in faith, and doing psychology from science, both descriptive and prescriptive (Johnson, 2010). Research, study, and clinical work are doing science that is open to the truth but does it in a way that is mindful of the history of the science (Johnson, 2010). 

Doing transformational psychology alongside the spirit of our Heavenly Father comes first before using historic secular views and tradition. This can become challenging for many trained from a secular view of psychology. Researchers and providers must set aside these traditions and explore psychology from a religious mindset before using secular psychology techniques. Its main goal is to learn and discover, create one's course, reexperience and redesign the psychology process and its final product (Johnson, 2010). 

Central Realities and Truths 

Transformational psychology is grounded in seven faiths known by experience. First, God does exist, and he is our Heavenly Father. Second, we are created in God's image for him to rule, understand and relate to the creation as fundamentally relational beings (Johnson, 2010). Third, all humans are sinners, saved through grace and finished by Christ on the cross. Forth, all humans are now seen as new in Christ. Fifth, in being fundamentally relational, ultimately, our purpose in Life is to love our neighbor and God, glorifying him forever in his image (Johnson, 2010). Sixth, this can only be accomplished by transforming ourselves to be more like God, taking on the Holy Spirit, and letting it guide us in our endeavors. Seventh, God has ensured that these truths are given to us through scriptures and the believer's experiences (Johnson, 2010). 

These faiths frame and teach us about our existence and the framework of science, knowing and being related to our reality (Johnson, 2010).

This understanding and truth of the entire process, product, and person using transformational psychology. The spiritual and emotional development of the psychologist is the foundation of this process and his or her profound truth about human nature. Transformational psychology is done through the spirit as an act of worship and love of God (Johnson, 2010). Using this model completes the transformation of the psychologist, and it is a foundational element for the process and final product of psychology (Johnson, 2010). 

          Transformational psychology is a model committed to being a single, unified methodology that provides both a science and a Christian reality (Johnson, 2010). This model includes Christian realities as its legitimate datum of science (Johnson, 2010). Christian realities are described as having scriptures, the nature of the human spirit, values, sin, and the Holy Spirit God gave us. By including this in secular psychology, transformational psychology has corrected the wrong in our history, where modern science is separated from faith and religion (Johnson, 2010). 

Transformational psychology does reject the individual study of either psychology or Christian theology. Splitting the focus between science and theology could create unhelpful or false methodologies (Johnson, 2010). Instead, it is essential to use faith and observation-reflection on creation in one methodology. The psychologist or researcher will need to take in all the elements to minimize the imbalance of material (Johnson, 2010). Creating an independent methodology would remove the importance of having an integrated psychology model. 

The outcome of transformational psychology relies on the person doing the work. The person and the process determine the product (Johnson, 2010). The person will need to develop his or her abilities to observe and reflect on humans from the love of God. This opens the psychologist's mind, provides what is accurate, and produces the best product or knowledge of psychology (Johnson, 2010). Lastly, the ethics and goodness or virtues of each person doing transformational psychology make this model an effective methodology. 

The Fall

The Fall of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden has been a well-disputed scriptural topic throughout history. The Fall has been the topic of many debates among theologians. Researchers typically base research on a scientific background and not a religious one. An intergraded researcher can take their scientific background and religious beliefs together and conduct research from a religious standpoint. 

The Fall is one of the most debated entries in the Bible and one of the most misunderstood. 2 Nephi 2:25 states, "Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy" (Book of Mormon, 1981-2013). Those who are a part of the Church of Latter-Day Saints believe that Adam and Eve fell so man can live. "Let us thank the Lord, when we pray, for Adam. If it had not been for Adam's fall, I would not be here; you would not be here; we would be waiting in the heavens as spirits" (President Joseph Fielding Smith, 1938-1971). 

            Satan tempted Adam and Eve to partake in the forbidden fruit. When they partook of the fruit, breaking the law made by God, they fell from Eden. This changed God's path for Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. When they fell, they became mortal, allowing them to have children, have free will, choose right from wrong, know good from evil, and live a mortal life. Adam and Eve were cut off from the Lord, bringing about spiritual and temporal death, and Life became a preparatory state (Book of Mormon 1981-2013). If it were not for the Atonement through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we would have had eternal, temporal, and spiritual death. 

            With repentance, we are given the time and opportunity to repent for our sins, change and be more like God. If it were not for the plan of redemption, Adam and Eve would have been disconnected from God and not given the time and opportunity to become more like God. Giving human beings the ability to repent and atone for all the sins of man and to once again be in the presence of God in Heaven. The resurrection of man comes before the judgment of God for all their deeds and judgment executed upon them by the law of God (Book of Mormon, 1981-2013).

D&C 107:54 states "that we seek to understand Adam's role in the Fall and the nature of the consequences that came from eating the forbidden fruit. Suppose we correctly understand the role of Adam and Eve. In that case, we will realize that those who have labeled them sinners responsible for the universal depravity of the human family are misguided. The truth is that Adam and Eve open the door for us to come into morality, a step essential to our eternal progress" (Doctrine & Covenants, 1981-2013).

Area of Study & Christianity

Being a member of the Latter-day Saints, the researcher can understand God's plan of salvation, and this provides her with a unique worldview. Our worldview allows us to understand and see reasons for God's commandments, ordinances, and our Savior's fundamental role, Jesus Christ. Our worldview gives us the ability and strength to endure the frustration and pain of mortal Life. Everyone is a result of their choices and experiences that shape their individual worldview (Holland, 2012). The researcher can take her worldview, faith, and secular education; to create a unique research perspective with a backing of faith and the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews (12:20-21) "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory forever and ever Amen" (Holly Bible, 1981-2013). This scripture discusses the importance of doing all we can to be pleasing and like God. Conducting research can include God, scriptures, commandments, and worldview; to guide the researchers and research and to not forget to see it through faith before secular teachings (D&C, 1981-2013).

A study by Guichun Jun examined the controversies around the use of virtual reality churches. Many felt it took away from many churches' sacred and Holy traditions. During Covid, many churches needed to provide church services virtually to continue to provide spiritual growth to society. Some churches began recording ministry, adding radio church meetings, and a handful created virtual environments for their congregations. One of the churches created a new V.R. platform called Second Life. It provides thirty religious meeting spaces for many major religious organizations. Second Life is a new way to explore the reality of religion, but some feel it is evil vs. an excellent way to worship God (Jun 2020).

            Some argue that the church's location is not essential but the spirit of the Heavenly Father who presides over it. A church community brings the Heavenly Father to the virtual world and provides safety to his people while they worship. There are some problems with the use of the V.R. church. Virtual reality cannot provide sacrament, a sense of community, and ecclesiastical authority for discipline. Theologists are the leading critics of using V.R. churches nationwide since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020 (Jun, 2020).

If theology leads the masses to understand that virtual communion is evil, how will this impact the research and use of V.R. as an assessment tool? When exploring V.R. and the Latter-day Saints faith, there are few references to virtual reality, how to use it, and what may corrupt the people using it. Elder Peter M. Johnson, in 2019, spoke to leaders of the church on the adverse effects of distractions for Latter-day Saints members. "in our day, there are many distractions, including Twitter, Facebook, virtual reality games, and more. These technological advances are amazing, but they can distract us from fulfilling our divine potential if we are not careful. Using them appropriately can bring forth the power of Heaven and allow us to witness miracles as we seek to gather sacred Israel on both sides of the veil" (Johnson, 2019). 

After reading the conference, where our elder spoke on the world's distractions, not only did he report that V.R. could be something placed on Earth by our adversary, but if it was appropriately used, it could bring the power of Heaven forth and bring miracles. As a researcher, this empowered and assisted the student in further understanding how virtual reality could help others, not corrupt them. The study could open the doors to further research and show others the importance of using what we create as tools to help others vs. destroying our enemies. 

Biblical Worldview & Counseling

           Using biblical teachings and secular psychology counseling is part of this student's practice. Some clients come into a counselor's office thinking it will only entail secular practices since many clients receive biblical insights from their pastor, church elder, or bishop. Culture and history teach us to expect this from counseling and biblical teachings (Trip D. P., 2002). In biblical counseling, the provider can describe the model as "God transforms people's lives as people bring his word to others (pp. 19)" (Trip D. P., 2002). 

God has the power to give his sons and daughters the ability to be teachers, pastors, missionaries, and prophets. We are his teachers, leaders, and helpers, using biblical truth and faith to change and help others become more like God. This student believes she has experienced Life, its harshness and dark sides, to have the knowledge and power to pass faith and biblical truth onto others. Each of us is given different skills, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences, allowing each to use the power and knowledge to help others (Trip D. P., 2002).

In counseling, the student attempts to bring faith and God into the client's Life. It uses biblical teaching to help the clients become more like God, allow Him to take their burdens and worldly stresses, and repent for wrongdoings. This allows clients to make lasting changes in their lives, chose to be closer to God, and allow Him to take on some of their pain, so they can focus on getting mentally healthy. 

After working with clients through Biblical teachings, the student focuses on possible secular techniques to decrease negative mental health symptoms. This can consist of using techniques from A.C.T. and other behavioral therapy styles. An essential part of these techniques includes gaining and using coping skills to reduce symptoms. Coping skills include prayer, scripture reading, journaling, decision-making, and other healthy coping skills. The entire process used when working with clients comes from biblical teaching, faith, parables, life experiences, and secular approaches.  

Not every client case can be treated from a Biblical counseling model. Some clients have mental health diagnoses requiring medication management, inpatient services, and continued mental health monitoring. In these cases, working with a team of providers is vital to assist the client until they are stable. Once the client is stable, the counselor can use a Biblical counseling model to work with them. 

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence was first used in 1964 by Beldoch. It was first believed that E.I. was linked to I.Q., and your I.Q. score indicated how intelligent someone was. At this time, the researchers approached E.I. in two ways. They first studied E.I. as a trait, in line with personality theory. They identified that those with high E.I. could identify and regulate their emotions and the emotions of others (Tiffin & Paton, 2019). The second set of researchers studies E.I. as related skills, similar to cognitive ability, measured by performance on the related task. This showed that people with high E.I. were considered interpersonally effective (Tiffin & Paton, 2019).

Researchers identified that E.I. could be a teachable trait, vs. I.Q. which does not change and cannot improve over time. This research presented an opportunity for growth in those areas of science where certain professionals required high E.I. scores. Companies could now bring in those with low E.I. scores and teach them how to increase their scores to be qualified for certain positions (Tiffin & Paton, 2019). For example, those in the medical field need to have higher than average E.I. to practice as a medical professional. This research identified that high E.I. determines workplace success, the ability to maintain friendships, and to work well with others, and showed that E.I. could be taught and learned (Tiffin & Paton, 2019).  

Emotional intelligence is linked with one's accomplishments, the ability to learn and advance, and is linked to the person's abilities to perceive, identify, employ, and control one's emotions (Nesami B. M., et. al. 2015). E.I. has been divided into two categories, each individual's individual and social capabilities. Social capabilities are the person's ability to interact with others and manage that relationship (Nesami B. M., et. al., 2015). There have been few studies analyzing the relationship between E.I. and religious coping. Religious coping is the person's ability to cope in relationships effectively and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. 

This study used the 28-item Bradberry and Graves Standard Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and Pargament's Religious Coping (RCOPE) to identify if there is a relationship between increased E.I. scores with religious individuals. (Nesami B. M., et. al. 2015). The study identified a relationship between religious coping and E.I. Positive religious coping increased the individual's E.I. score. The belief is that having God in an individual's Life assists them in decreasing depression, anxiety, and daily stress levels (Nesami B. M., et. al. 2015).  

Faith & Emotional Intelligence

Faith understands and describes emotional intelligence differently. Emotional resilience is the ability to adapt to emotional challenges using courage and faith given to us by Jesus Christ (Golightly, 2022). Using faith and courage, we can work through our challenges, return from stressful situations, and maintain our positive lifestyle and faith (Golightly, 2020). Each individual learns and adapts the skills and characters needed to have high E.I. The good news is that we do not have to do this all at once. We can ask for help from our Heavenly Father, our loved ones, and scripture. It takes time to learn how to blend our E.I. while adapting and growing our self-acceptance, and faith (Golightly, 2020).

Deuteronomy 8:2 "And thou shalt remember all the way which the lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no. (Holt Bible 1981-2013). This scripture relates to the emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges faced on Earth. We will be proven, tested, and tried during our time here. Our Heavenly Father will guide and judge us based on our life experiences, choices, and faith (Golightly, 2020). 

An important aspect of Life is to become more aware of and adapt to the emotional stresses of everyday Living (Golightly, 2020). Individuals must face their emotions, process them, and lean on scriptures and God to help them through their challenges. Mathew 6:34 "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Holy Bible, 1981-2013). This scripture teaches us to let go of the past and not fear the future. Many of our everyday problems and stresses come from fears of the unknown or fear of failure (Golightly, 2020). 

A great way to develop resilience is to observe your feelings without self-judgment. Many times in Life, we stop feeling and observing our emotions to self-judge them. Once we observe, feel, and explore our emotions, we can increase our emotional resilience (E.I.). This assists us in developing our sense of independence and trust. One of the most significant parts of emotional resilience and independence is being able to ask for help from others and trusting and learning from God (Golightly, 2020). 

Doctrine and Covenants 29:34 "Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a temporal law; neither any man nor the children of men; neither Adam, your Father, whom I created (D&C 1981-2013). Building emotional resilience is vital to building our relationship with Christ, exercising faith, praying, fasting, studying scriptures, and following commandments and covenants (Golightly, 2020). As we grow and develop our self-image, faith, and worldview, so do our self-reliance and emotional intelligence. 

When this student started her journey toward her Ph.D. at Liberty University, she had no idea it would take her and her research down this path of self-reflection, biblical growth, and the full integration of her secular education and spiritual worldview. This integration will continue to expand the student's biblical knowledge, challenge her theories and beliefs, and expand her dissertation to include more of her Christian worldview. 

Proposed Study & Transformational Psychology

Dissertation question being asked: "Assessing for criterion validity, and construct validity of immersive V.R. in assessing emotional intelligence compared to self-report assessments." (No cite required, it is my dissertation question, not a quote).

Over the last century, V.R. technology has grown, become less expensive, and is available to a more diverse population. The availability has allowed researchers to conduct studies on V.R. technologies' uses. With the increased technological ability, it is becoming more popular among researchers. V.R. can replicate and extend the natural world in a more controlled environment, helping researchers create a more cost-effective method of studying behavior (Mathysen & Glorieux, 2021). V.R. technology assist social psychologist in transforming lab experiments, into a real-world scenario, in a safer way. 

Current research using V.R. technology is limited in assessing behavior, assessing a variety of mental health disorders, levels of intelligence, and forensic psychology (Bell et.al. 2020). V.R. assessments could provide a new way to assess criminals and mental health clients; understand social behaviors across many cultures, ages, sexuality, and ethnicity. V.R. assessments could provide a new way to assess people instead of using self-assessment tools. As the technology grows, further studies are needed to evaluate if V.R. is a reliable and valid assessment tool. Most studies focus on treating clients for ADHD, PTSD, addictions, and fear-based treatments (Bell et. al. 2020). 

The researcher will use current studies on the use of V.R. systems within social psychology topics to assist her in establishing the gap in research that would support her proposal. Many of the current studies have shown the need to create G.A.B.s for the use of assessing topics within social psychology. Current and past studies have yet to show reliability or provide positive results. Virtual reality is a gaming system that immerses users in a virtual environment. V.R. systems use 3D integrated imagery, a head-mounted display, eye-tracking equipment, and physical tracking sensors (Weiner et. al. 2020). 

V.R. places the player into a first-person perspective, completing a task and engaging with objects in the environment. The newer systems have images that refresh relatively faster than the older systems (Weiner et. al. 2020). In newer systems, the player experiences the game with fewer imagery flinches, images are more precise, and the system is fully immersive, cutting out all outside images within their physical environment. Allowing the player to interact with his or her environment more profoundly, making every object seem more real and tangible (Weiner et. al. 2020). 

Studies on V.R. as a clinical tool thus far have shown an enhancement of ecological validity. V.R. technology can reach ecological validity since V.R. can more closely emulate what happens in day-to-day Life for clients (Halldorsson et. al. 2021). It can overcome issues that typically arise with ecological validity and the degree to which real-world studies can be emulated (Bell et. al. 2020). V.R. offers increased control and manipulation over environmental features, tests and assesses relevant variables, and examines responses to physical cues within the gamer's environment (Bell et. al. 2020).

Lastly, V.R. environments can be tailored and matched to each individual, researcher, and clinician's needs, abilities, and preferences (Bell et. al. 2020). Research has found that V.R. is an effective tool for inducing emotions in individuals. In theory, using V.R. to assess emotional intelligence could produce positive results, validating current and past research (Geraets et. al. 2018).

The proposed study will create two V.R. assessments assessing E.I., one of which will include religious views, moral thinking, and ethics. The secondary assessment will assess participants using a V.R. E.I. assessment without using religious views, moral thinking, and ethics. The study will propose that those assessed using the E.I. and RCOPE VR assessments will have higher overall E.I. scores than those taking the E.I. V.R. assessment. This will be the second study from the proposed study to validate the effectiveness of V.R. assessments vs. self-assessments used today. The student will incorporate her religious worldview to create the V.R. assessment to ensure the assessment assesses E.I. and religious views, decision-making, morals, and ethical views. 

After further exploration, insights from others, and scripture reading, this student will continue forward and create a new V.R. tool to assess emotional intelligence and other assessment tools. It will be essential to incorporate her new insights into Transformational psychology and Christian worldview to create a positive storyline and avatars for participants to choose from. Character development and storyline will incorporate moral and ethical decision-making aspects, scripture inputs in storylines, and religious and social settings. 

Character Development

For character development, the researcher will create pre-set protocols to assist the participants in creating their avatars. Each participant will be asked to create their avatar, based on their personal persona, not whom they wish or want to be, but who they are. Included will be a brief character development description. Participants in the assessment that includes moral and religious storylines will have character traits and ethics related to their faith and worldviews. All character traits describe to other players who they are, where they came from, their hopes, and dreams. This will assist the researcher in understanding each participant, their history, and possible reasons for the decisions they will make within their story (Brookes et. al. 2019). 

An essential factor that needs to be included in character development is the personal sense of presence. A sense of presence can foster positive feelings in connection to the virtual environment and social interactions in the V.R. environment (Geraets et. al. 2018). A sense of presence can come from the presence of our Heavenly Father. For those taking the assessment, which includes religion, faith, and morals, it will be essential to have this presence in the game. God's presence will be present through social interactions, scripture reading, prayer, and church gatherings will be an essential part of the game and storyline. 

Each participant's avatar is a vital piece of the assessment process. This allows each individual to portray who they are within the V.R. environment. Enhancing social gatherings, church meetings, and other social opportunities in the storyline. Their avatar reflects how they feel towards themselves, what they want their community and peers to think about them, and how they would like our Heavenly Father to see in them. This provides more data for the assessment tool. 

Conclusion

The use of V.R. systems within social psychology and psychology seems endless. Many studies have used different scientific methods, variables, and topics. However, many have shown promising results in assessing and treating mental health patients. As technology advances, the future of V.R. within this field is endless. The study's primary focus is to provide research proving the use of V.R. as a clinical tool, assessing clients, and understanding client behavior and social behaviors. 

Current and past research on this topic provides an essential foundation for this study; it does not provide valid data proving V.R. as a clinical tool for social psychologists or psychologists. The research provided information suggesting the need for further studies on the uses of V.R. technology, the impacts V.R. environments have on players and their lives, the reliability of V.R. assessments compared to self-assessments, and universal programming and systems for researchers and providers. 

Overall, only a few studies identify the positive correlation between higher levels of E.I. and religious views. The above study identified a positive relationship between E.I. and religious views. It will assist the student in creating a new study incorporating faith and secular research, transformational psychology view, and increased E.I. for those with positive religious views. The proposed study hypothesis is that V.R. assessments will have higher construct validity, and those with a positive religious view will have an overall higher E.I. than those participants who do not have positive religious views. 

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