The Psychology of Meaning in Life

The Psychology of Meaning in Life

Author: Tatjana Schnell

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-07-09

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 1000072851

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This book offers an inspiring exploration of current findings from the psychology of meaning in life, analysing cutting-edge research to propose practical, evidence-based applications. Schnell draws on psychological, philosophical and cognitive perspectives to explore basic concepts of meaning and introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life. Written in an accessible style, this book covers a range of topics including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, meaning in the workplace, and meaning-centred interventions. Each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection and measurement tools are presented throughout, including the author’s original Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe), to inspire the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life. The Psychology of Meaning in Life is essential reading for students and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, coaching and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring the role of meaning in life.


Book Synopsis The Psychology of Meaning in Life by : Tatjana Schnell

Download or read book The Psychology of Meaning in Life written by Tatjana Schnell and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-07-09 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book offers an inspiring exploration of current findings from the psychology of meaning in life, analysing cutting-edge research to propose practical, evidence-based applications. Schnell draws on psychological, philosophical and cognitive perspectives to explore basic concepts of meaning and introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life. Written in an accessible style, this book covers a range of topics including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, meaning in the workplace, and meaning-centred interventions. Each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection and measurement tools are presented throughout, including the author’s original Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe), to inspire the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life. The Psychology of Meaning in Life is essential reading for students and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, coaching and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring the role of meaning in life.

The Psychology of Meaning

The Psychology of Meaning

Author: Keith Douglas Markman

Publisher: Amer Psychological Assn

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 508

ISBN-13: 9781433812248

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Explores the multifaceted nature of this highly subjective construct. Contributors to this groundbreaking edited volume examine the phenomenological, empirical, and clinical aspects of people's reactions to the loss of meaning, to uncertainty, and to meaning violations. The book concludes with a scholarly, clinical chapter on how psychotherapy can help restore meaning in one's life.


Book Synopsis The Psychology of Meaning by : Keith Douglas Markman

Download or read book The Psychology of Meaning written by Keith Douglas Markman and published by Amer Psychological Assn. This book was released on 2013 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explores the multifaceted nature of this highly subjective construct. Contributors to this groundbreaking edited volume examine the phenomenological, empirical, and clinical aspects of people's reactions to the loss of meaning, to uncertainty, and to meaning violations. The book concludes with a scholarly, clinical chapter on how psychotherapy can help restore meaning in one's life.

Meaning in Life and Why It Matters

Meaning in Life and Why It Matters

Author: Susan Wolf

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2012-03-25

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 0691154503

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Most people, including philosophers, tend to classify human motives as falling into one of two categories: the egoistic or the altruistic, the self-interested or the moral. According to Susan Wolf, however, much of what motivates us does not comfortably fit into this scheme. Often we act neither for our own sake nor out of duty or an impersonal concern for the world. Rather, we act out of love for objects that we rightly perceive as worthy of love--and it is these actions that give meaning to our lives. Wolf makes a compelling case that, along with happiness and morality, this kind of meaningfulness constitutes a distinctive dimension of a good life. Written in a lively and engaging style, and full of provocative examples, Meaning in Life and Why It Matters is a profound and original reflection on a subject of permanent human concern.


Book Synopsis Meaning in Life and Why It Matters by : Susan Wolf

Download or read book Meaning in Life and Why It Matters written by Susan Wolf and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2012-03-25 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most people, including philosophers, tend to classify human motives as falling into one of two categories: the egoistic or the altruistic, the self-interested or the moral. According to Susan Wolf, however, much of what motivates us does not comfortably fit into this scheme. Often we act neither for our own sake nor out of duty or an impersonal concern for the world. Rather, we act out of love for objects that we rightly perceive as worthy of love--and it is these actions that give meaning to our lives. Wolf makes a compelling case that, along with happiness and morality, this kind of meaningfulness constitutes a distinctive dimension of a good life. Written in a lively and engaging style, and full of provocative examples, Meaning in Life and Why It Matters is a profound and original reflection on a subject of permanent human concern.

The Power of Meaning

The Power of Meaning

Author: Emily Esfahani Smith

Publisher: Crown

Published: 2017-01-10

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 055344655X

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In a culture obsessed with happiness, this wise, stirring book points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life. Too many of us believe that the search for meaning is an esoteric pursuit—that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to discover life’s secrets. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us—right here, right now. To explore how we can craft lives of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. Drawing on this research, Smith shows us how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives. To bring what she calls the four pillars of meaning to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of profound loss, and more. She also introduces us to compelling seekers of meaning—from the drug kingpin who finds his purpose in helping people get fit to the artist who draws on her Hindu upbringing to create arresting photographs. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture that leaves space for introspection and awe, cultivates a sense of community, and imbues our lives with meaning. Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a life that matters.


Book Synopsis The Power of Meaning by : Emily Esfahani Smith

Download or read book The Power of Meaning written by Emily Esfahani Smith and published by Crown. This book was released on 2017-01-10 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a culture obsessed with happiness, this wise, stirring book points the way toward a richer, more satisfying life. Too many of us believe that the search for meaning is an esoteric pursuit—that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to discover life’s secrets. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us—right here, right now. To explore how we can craft lives of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith synthesizes a kaleidoscopic array of sources—from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and neuroscientists to figures in literature and history such as George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. Drawing on this research, Smith shows us how cultivating connections to others, identifying and working toward a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery can immeasurably deepen our lives. To bring what she calls the four pillars of meaning to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of profound loss, and more. She also introduces us to compelling seekers of meaning—from the drug kingpin who finds his purpose in helping people get fit to the artist who draws on her Hindu upbringing to create arresting photographs. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture that leaves space for introspection and awe, cultivates a sense of community, and imbues our lives with meaning. Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a life that matters.

Meaning in Life

Meaning in Life

Author: Clara E. Hill

Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781433828874

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We all struggle to process our experiences, achievements, and failures within the context of a meaningful life. Knowing how to discuss meaning, and how to help patients find it, is a vital tool for all mental health practitioners. The concept of meaning-in-life (MIL) can help clients come to understand their lives as filled with significance and purpose. In this groundbreaking book, author Clara Hill analyzes various theoretical approaches to MIL, and provides clear, practical guidance on how to incorporate MIL as a construct and focus in therapy. Hill weighs decades of research on MIL against her own recent work at the University of Maryland, distinguishing MIL research from other similar constructs and discussing the various sources of meaning that we all can find and apply in our daily lives.


Book Synopsis Meaning in Life by : Clara E. Hill

Download or read book Meaning in Life written by Clara E. Hill and published by American Psychological Association (APA). This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We all struggle to process our experiences, achievements, and failures within the context of a meaningful life. Knowing how to discuss meaning, and how to help patients find it, is a vital tool for all mental health practitioners. The concept of meaning-in-life (MIL) can help clients come to understand their lives as filled with significance and purpose. In this groundbreaking book, author Clara Hill analyzes various theoretical approaches to MIL, and provides clear, practical guidance on how to incorporate MIL as a construct and focus in therapy. Hill weighs decades of research on MIL against her own recent work at the University of Maryland, distinguishing MIL research from other similar constructs and discussing the various sources of meaning that we all can find and apply in our daily lives.

12 Rules for Life

12 Rules for Life

Author: Jordan B. Peterson

Publisher: Random House Canada

Published: 2018-01-23

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 0345816021

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#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research. Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street. What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.


Book Synopsis 12 Rules for Life by : Jordan B. Peterson

Download or read book 12 Rules for Life written by Jordan B. Peterson and published by Random House Canada. This book was released on 2018-01-23 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research. Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street. What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.

The Human Quest for Meaning

The Human Quest for Meaning

Author: Paul T. P. Wong

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-06-19

Total Pages: 866

ISBN-13: 1136508090

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The first edition of The Human Quest for Meaning was a major publication on the empirical research of meaning in life and its vital role in well-being, resilience, and psychotherapy. This new edition continues that quest and seeks to answer the questions, what is the meaning of life? How do we explain what constitutes meaningful relationships, work, and living? The answers, as the eminent scholars and practitioners who contributed to this text find, are neither simple nor straightforward. While seeking to clarify subjective vs. objective meaning in 21 new and 7 revised chapters, the authors also address the differences in cultural contexts, and identify 8 different sources of meaning, as well as at least 6 different stages in the process of the search for meaning. They also address different perspectives, including positive psychology, self-determination, integrative, narrative, and relational perspectives, to ensure that readers obtain the most thorough information possible. Mental health practitioners will find the numerous meaning-centered interventions, such as the PURE and ABCDE methods, highly useful in their own work with facilitating healing and personal growth in their clients. The Human Quest for Meaning represents a bold new vision for the future of meaning-oriented research and applications. No one seeking to truly understand the human condition should be without it.


Book Synopsis The Human Quest for Meaning by : Paul T. P. Wong

Download or read book The Human Quest for Meaning written by Paul T. P. Wong and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-06-19 with total page 866 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first edition of The Human Quest for Meaning was a major publication on the empirical research of meaning in life and its vital role in well-being, resilience, and psychotherapy. This new edition continues that quest and seeks to answer the questions, what is the meaning of life? How do we explain what constitutes meaningful relationships, work, and living? The answers, as the eminent scholars and practitioners who contributed to this text find, are neither simple nor straightforward. While seeking to clarify subjective vs. objective meaning in 21 new and 7 revised chapters, the authors also address the differences in cultural contexts, and identify 8 different sources of meaning, as well as at least 6 different stages in the process of the search for meaning. They also address different perspectives, including positive psychology, self-determination, integrative, narrative, and relational perspectives, to ensure that readers obtain the most thorough information possible. Mental health practitioners will find the numerous meaning-centered interventions, such as the PURE and ABCDE methods, highly useful in their own work with facilitating healing and personal growth in their clients. The Human Quest for Meaning represents a bold new vision for the future of meaning-oriented research and applications. No one seeking to truly understand the human condition should be without it.

The Experience of Meaning in Life

The Experience of Meaning in Life

Author: Joshua A. Hicks

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-05-27

Total Pages: 410

ISBN-13: 9400765274

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This book offers an in-depth exploration of the burgeoning field of meaning in life in the psychological sciences, covering conceptual and methodological issues, core psychological mechanisms, environmental, cognitive and personality variables and more.


Book Synopsis The Experience of Meaning in Life by : Joshua A. Hicks

Download or read book The Experience of Meaning in Life written by Joshua A. Hicks and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-05-27 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book offers an in-depth exploration of the burgeoning field of meaning in life in the psychological sciences, covering conceptual and methodological issues, core psychological mechanisms, environmental, cognitive and personality variables and more.

What Life Could Mean to You

What Life Could Mean to You

Author: Alfred Adler

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 245

ISBN-13: 9781568382289

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Rather than purporting to know life's meaning, Adler set out in What Life Could Mean to You to help each of us create our own meaning for our life. He examines a wide range of themes common to all our lives, including family and school influences; adolescent development; feelings of superiority and inferiority; the importance of cooperation; the "problems of work, friendship, and love and marriage; and the individual and society. Through a fuller understanding of these areas of life and the value of each person, Adler shows how to overcome the limitations of our past and develop the courage and confidence to transform ourselves--and the world in which we live. "We must make our own lives," Adler writes. "It is our own task and we are capable of performing it. If something new must be done or something old replaced, no one can do it but ourselves. If life is approached in this way, as a cooperation of independent human beings, there are no limits to the progress of our human civilization." A contemporary of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler was born in a Vienna suburb to a Jewish grain merchant. After becoming a medical doctor, Adler went on to found Individual Psychology and write more than 300 books and papers on child psychology, marriage, education, and the principles of individual psychology. Adler died in 1937 and is recognized along with Freud and Jung as one of the three great fathers of modern psychotherapy. The Adler Collection is also available to you which includes What Life Could Mean To You as well as the following two publications: Understanding Life which is an inspiring work that offers direction and wise counsel for increasing awareness of self, one's motivations, and the importance of each person's unique contribution to society; and Understanding Human Nature which is as relevant today as when written, this timely reprint of a classic in individual psychology shows the way to increased understanding of ourselves and our role in society.


Book Synopsis What Life Could Mean to You by : Alfred Adler

Download or read book What Life Could Mean to You written by Alfred Adler and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rather than purporting to know life's meaning, Adler set out in What Life Could Mean to You to help each of us create our own meaning for our life. He examines a wide range of themes common to all our lives, including family and school influences; adolescent development; feelings of superiority and inferiority; the importance of cooperation; the "problems of work, friendship, and love and marriage; and the individual and society. Through a fuller understanding of these areas of life and the value of each person, Adler shows how to overcome the limitations of our past and develop the courage and confidence to transform ourselves--and the world in which we live. "We must make our own lives," Adler writes. "It is our own task and we are capable of performing it. If something new must be done or something old replaced, no one can do it but ourselves. If life is approached in this way, as a cooperation of independent human beings, there are no limits to the progress of our human civilization." A contemporary of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler was born in a Vienna suburb to a Jewish grain merchant. After becoming a medical doctor, Adler went on to found Individual Psychology and write more than 300 books and papers on child psychology, marriage, education, and the principles of individual psychology. Adler died in 1937 and is recognized along with Freud and Jung as one of the three great fathers of modern psychotherapy. The Adler Collection is also available to you which includes What Life Could Mean To You as well as the following two publications: Understanding Life which is an inspiring work that offers direction and wise counsel for increasing awareness of self, one's motivations, and the importance of each person's unique contribution to society; and Understanding Human Nature which is as relevant today as when written, this timely reprint of a classic in individual psychology shows the way to increased understanding of ourselves and our role in society.

Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life

Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life

Author: Douglas T Kenrick

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 2011-04-26

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0465023428

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"Kenrick writes like a dream." -- Robert Sapolsky, Professor of Biology and Neurology, Stanford University; author of A Primate's Memoir and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers What do sex and murder have to do with the meaning of life? Everything. In Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life, social psychologist Douglas Kenrick exposes the selfish animalistic underside of human nature, and shows how it is intimately connected to our greatest and most selfless achievements. Masterfully integrating cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, and complexity theory, this intriguing book paints a comprehensive picture of the principles that govern our lives. As Kenrick divulges, beneath our civilized veneer, human beings are a lot like howling hyenas and barking baboons, with heads full of homicidal tendencies and sexual fantasies. But, in his view, many ingrained, apparently irrational behaviors -- such as inclinations to one-night stands, racial prejudices, and conspicuous consumption -- ultimately manifest what he calls "Deep Rationality.&" Although our heads are full of simple selfish biases that evolved to help our ancestors survive, modern human beings are anything but simple and selfish cavemen. Kenrick argues that simple and selfish mental mechanisms we inherited from our ancestors ultimately give rise to the multifaceted social lives that we humans lead today, and to the most positive features of humanity, including generosity, artistic creativity, love, and familial bonds. And out of those simple mechanisms emerge all the complexities of society, including international conflicts and global economic markets. By exploring the nuance of social psychology and the surprising results of his own research, Kenrick offers a detailed picture of what makes us caring, creative, and complex -- that is, fully human. Illuminated with stories from Kenrick's own colorful experiences -- from his criminally inclined shantytown Irish relatives, his own multiple high school expulsions, broken marriages, and homicidal fantasies, to his eventual success as an evolutionary psychologist and loving father of two boys separated by 26 years -- this book is an exploration of our mental biases and failures, and our mind's great successes. Idiosyncratic, controversial, and fascinating, Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life uncovers the pitfalls and promise of our biological inheritance.


Book Synopsis Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life by : Douglas T Kenrick

Download or read book Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life written by Douglas T Kenrick and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2011-04-26 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Kenrick writes like a dream." -- Robert Sapolsky, Professor of Biology and Neurology, Stanford University; author of A Primate's Memoir and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers What do sex and murder have to do with the meaning of life? Everything. In Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life, social psychologist Douglas Kenrick exposes the selfish animalistic underside of human nature, and shows how it is intimately connected to our greatest and most selfless achievements. Masterfully integrating cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, and complexity theory, this intriguing book paints a comprehensive picture of the principles that govern our lives. As Kenrick divulges, beneath our civilized veneer, human beings are a lot like howling hyenas and barking baboons, with heads full of homicidal tendencies and sexual fantasies. But, in his view, many ingrained, apparently irrational behaviors -- such as inclinations to one-night stands, racial prejudices, and conspicuous consumption -- ultimately manifest what he calls "Deep Rationality.&" Although our heads are full of simple selfish biases that evolved to help our ancestors survive, modern human beings are anything but simple and selfish cavemen. Kenrick argues that simple and selfish mental mechanisms we inherited from our ancestors ultimately give rise to the multifaceted social lives that we humans lead today, and to the most positive features of humanity, including generosity, artistic creativity, love, and familial bonds. And out of those simple mechanisms emerge all the complexities of society, including international conflicts and global economic markets. By exploring the nuance of social psychology and the surprising results of his own research, Kenrick offers a detailed picture of what makes us caring, creative, and complex -- that is, fully human. Illuminated with stories from Kenrick's own colorful experiences -- from his criminally inclined shantytown Irish relatives, his own multiple high school expulsions, broken marriages, and homicidal fantasies, to his eventual success as an evolutionary psychologist and loving father of two boys separated by 26 years -- this book is an exploration of our mental biases and failures, and our mind's great successes. Idiosyncratic, controversial, and fascinating, Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life uncovers the pitfalls and promise of our biological inheritance.