Psychology: Understanding Human Nature

After more than five decades as a psychologist/counselor working with individuals from a wide range of faith traditions, I’ve seen how spiritual leaders can profoundly help—or harm—the people who trust them.
Public attention often focuses on clergy sexual abuse, but many people experience quieter forms of harm that rarely make headlines: spiritual neglect, spiritual harassment, and other negative spiritual experiences that shape identity, wellbeing, and belonging.
In my latest Substack essay, I outline clear distinctions among these forms of harm and explain why getting the definitions right matters for prevention, accountability, and healing.
If you’re interested in the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and human wellbeing, you may find this a useful framework.

Read the full post here:

Predators: Negative Spiritual Experiences Neglect, Harassment, and Abuse

Degree in 3
It makes sense to question the value of a college degree.

The debt burden can surely interfere with wellbeing and so many degrees do not provide entry into a career that will soon pay off college debt.

The article reports on college closures and plans to offer a 3-year instead of the traditional 4-year degree programs.

What are your thoughts on the value of a college degree?
What do you think of completing a degree in 3 instead of 4 years?

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/degree-in-three-why-more-colleges-are-speeding-up-graduation-timelines?fbclid=IwY2xjawSc4lBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuVEZuVVRSMG80cE44T0tZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHikLJmXQsYryNefgO9_ze1urzN2sQkYj7dah9v_qZlhbYGChuUXTI8RF9AGo_aem_oJ-CSE_EsOOTmnqiUh3gSg

Degree in three: Why more colleges are speeding up graduation timelines Only about a third of Americans now believe a four-year college degree is worth the cost. Increasingly, students and families are questioning it too. As many colleges across the country face shrinking enrollment, more than 60 institutions are now offering students a faster path to graduation. Fred d...

Flourishing in Six Dimensions: The SCOPES Framework

SCOPES: A Multidimensional Framework for Understanding Human Functioning
SCOPES presents a powerful, multidimensional model for understanding how people think, feel, behave, and grow. Developed over decades of clinical, educational, and research experience, this biopsychosocial framework integrates six essential domains of human functioning—Self, Cognition, Emotion, Observable Behavior, Physical/Biological Health, and Social Context—into one clear, practical system.
Whether you are a clinician, consultant, educator, graduate student, or an individual seeking personal growth, SCOPES offers a structured way to make sense of complex human experiences. It helps organize information, guide assessment, and support plans that address both challenges and strengths across multiple dimensions of life.
At the heart of the model is the familiar clinical triad of Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior—represented as CEO—situated within two powerful contexts: the Physical (our biological and health foundations) and the Social (the environments and relationships that shape us). These five dimensions operate in constant interaction with the sixth and most personal dimension: the Self, including identity, agency, purpose, resilience, and spirituality.
Drawing from neuropsychology, cognitive behavioral therapies, positive psychology, and holistic wellbeing research, SCOPES bridges two worlds often treated separately:
• Clinical psychology, which focuses on reducing symptoms and treating what’s wrong
• Positive psychology, which emphasizes strengths, thriving, and flourishing
SCOPES shows how both perspectives can work together. It also introduces the important middle state between illbeing and wellbeing—midbeing, the “blah” or languishing experience so common today. Across the book, readers will see how each SCOPES dimension can manifest in illbeing, midbeing, and wellbeing, offering a roadmap for understanding where a person is and how they can move toward thriving.
This book provides:
• A clear introduction to each of the six SCOPES dimensions
• A practical framework for assessment, treatment planning, and personal development
• A bridge between evidence based clinical practice and the science of flourishing
• A multidimensional approach that honors both internal strengths and external influences
SCOPES is ultimately a guide for making sense of the whole person. By examining the Self, core functioning (CEO), and the internal and external contexts (P and S), readers gain a comprehensive way to understand human concerns and create meaningful, personalized plans for growth.
If you’re seeking a model that unites science, clinical wisdom, and the pursuit of flourishing, SCOPES offers a compelling, accessible, and deeply human framework.

Flourishing in Six Dimensions: The SCOPES Framework Reviews of books and films connecting Psychology, Culture, and Religion

Default Bias and the Positivity Effect Study
The authors remind us that in general, older adults demonstrate a positivity bias.

This study summary from APA indicates older adults prefer the status quo.

See the link to learn more.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HgkZ2Skvc/

1 week book promo for $1.99

Psychological perspectives on LGBTQ+ and the church are part of the review of differences among Christian groups.

What's different from other LGBTQ books is a look at faith perspectives on individuals and as well as and ***an individuals.

There are a variety of views and interpretations --some are more consistent with those of psychological science than others.

Take a look at the free samples where available.

The book is on sale for this week at several online bookstores.

It is listed with Hoopla and may be available at some libraries.

You can also use the ISBN to search your favorite bookstore.
9798232985653

BRIDGING THE CHASM: CHRISTIANITY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LGBTQIA+ INCLUSION by Geoffrey W. Sutton - Books on Google Play BRIDGING THE CHASM: CHRISTIANITY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LGBTQIA+ INCLUSION - Ebook written by Geoffrey W. Sutton. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read BRIDGING THE CHASM: CHRISTIANITY, PS...

Bridging the Chasm is on sale for $1.99 this week at various online stores.

About:
Bridging the Chasm: Christianity, Psychology, and LGBTQIA+ Inclusion confronts one of the most pressing and polarizing questions of our time: how can faith communities and psychological science engage one another honestly, critically, and compassionately when it comes to the dignity and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals?

For decades, many Christian traditions and the discipline of psychology have stood on opposite sides of a widening divide. Theologians and pastors have often appealed to Scripture and tradition to defend exclusionary practices, while psychologists have pointed to scientific evidence affirming LGBTQIA+ identities and relationships. The result has been a chasm—one that leaves countless individuals caught in the middle, struggling to reconcile their faith, their identity, and their mental health.

This book does not offer a simple bridge across that divide. Instead, it equips readers to map the terrain, understand the fault lines, and engage the conversation with intellectual humility and moral courage. Drawing on biblical studies, theology, and psychology, Bridging the Chasm provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary framework for students, clergy, clinicians, and lay readers who want to move beyond slogans and stereotypes toward deeper understanding.

It is also listed as available to read on Hoopla if your library has add the book.

Available now at your favorite digital store! Bridging the Chasm: Christianity, Psychology, and LGBTQIA+ Inclusion by GEOFFREY SUTTON

Father-Son Relationships

A look at the importance of dads to sons.

https://disciplinewithrespect.suttong.com/2023/06/what-do-fathers-contribute-to-father.html

Polygamy and the Pope

When the Pope went to Africa, polygamy was on the agenda of some Christians who are in polygamous relationships.

Polygamy is an officially accepted form of in more than 30 nations.
Christians have held different opinions over the centuries and have argued about the polygamy of the patriarchs.

Scientifically, the research indicates some pros and cons to this form of marriage.

Of course, it's mostly one form of , which is .

I take a look at beliefs and a bit of research in this series on Substack -- still FREE to read.

The Real Housewives of the Bible Christians Reframing History

Presenting Survey Results

Look at the bar chart.
Can you clearly detect positive and negative?

When presenting survey data, select colors that stand out for the reader.

Link to survey book
https://amzn.to/4dwhgHT

WSJ post link = https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KKAXupEoE/

The Santa Clara Sacredness Scale, developed by Plante and Gustavel (2026), is a concise, publicly available questionnaire designed to evaluate an individual's perception of sacredness. This 10-item scale demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties, such as an alpha coefficient of .81 (Sutton, 2026, May 13).

https://statistics.suttong.com/2026/05/santa-clara-sacredness-scale.html

Santa Clara Sacredness Scale-Overview A blog about assessment. Many free survey items, questionnaires, Psychological tests and measures.