Psychologists as early as William James and Edwin Starbuck noted the potential for spiritual and religious experiences and practices to promote positive character development, but few empirical studies have examined how spiritual practices promote virtue development across time. In this talk, we will consider how spiritual practices affect the development of virtues such as gratitude, generosity, self-control, and patience in both Christian and Muslim samples, highlighting implications for practice.

Dr. Sarah Schnitker is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University as well as the Director of the BRIGHTS (Baylor Research in Growth and Human Thriving Science) Center. Schnitker studies virtue development in adolescents and emerging adults, focusing on the role of spirituality/religion in virtue formation. Schnitker has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and edited chapters, and she has procured more than $16 million in funding as a principal investigator on multiple research grants. She is an Associate Editor for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, an Editorial Board member for Journal of Research in Personality, and a co-editor of the Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. She is an American Psychological Association Fellow and winner of the International Positive Psychology Association Spirituality and Meaning Division Researcher Award. She is the recipient of the Virginia Sexton APA Division 36 Mentoring Award and Student International Positive Psychology Association Mentor Award.

Please note: Registration ends two days before the event, please register before October 21st!