This book provides a thought-provoking examination of the present state and the future of Humanistic Psychology, showcasing a rich international contributor line-up. The book addresses head-on the current state of a world in crisis, not only placing the current conjuncture within a wider evolutionary context, but also demonstrating the specifically humanistic-psychological values and practices that can help us to transform and transcend the world’s current challenges. Each chapter looks in depth at a variety of issues: counselling and psychotherapy, creativity and the humanities, post-traumatic stress, and socio-political movements and activism. The book amply confirms that Humanistic Psychology is as alive, and as innovative and exciting, as it ever has been, and has tremendous relevance to the uncertainties that characterize the unprecedented individual and global challenges of the times. It celebrates the diverse and continuing significance of Humanistic Psychology by providing a robust and reliable roadmap for a new generation of counsellors and psychotherapists. In these richly diverse chapters will be found inspiration, pockets of resistance, mature critical reflexivity and much much more - a book accurately reflecting our present situation, and which is an invaluable addition to the psychology literature.
Summarizes Grof's experiences and observations from more than forty years of research into non-ordinary states of consciousness. This accessible and comprehensive overview of the work of Stanislav Grof, one of the founders of transpersonal psychology, was specifically written to acquaint newcomers with his work. Serving as a summation of his career and previous works, this entirely new book is the source to introduce Grof's enormous contributions to the fields of psychiatry and psychology, especially his central concept of holotropic experience, where holotropic signifies "moving toward wholeness." Grof maintains that the current basic assumptions and concepts of psychology and psychiatry require a radical revision based on the intensive and systematic research of holotropic experience. He suggests that a radical inner transformation of humanity and a rise to a higher level of consciousness might be humankind's only real hope for the future. "It's rare to find a textbook that is both extremely informative and enjoyable to read. Psychology of the Future has to be one of the first ones I've ever come across ... Each chapter brought an entirely new concept, theory, or method that was just as engaging as the previous one." — Dr. Tami Brady, TCM Reviews "This book is by a pioneering genius in consciousness research. It presents the full spectrum of Grof's ideas, from his earliest mappings of using LSD psychotherapy, to his clinical work with people facing death, to his more recent work with holotropic breathing, to his latest thoughts about the cosmological implications of consciousness research and the prospects for dealing with an emerging planetary crisis. Grof has always been one of the most original thinkers in the transpersonal field, and his creativity has kept pace with the maturity of his overall vision." -- Michael Washburn, author of Transpersonal Psychology in Psychoanalytic Perspective "Grof offers an outstanding contribution to the ever-growing debate about the nature of human consciousness and about the place of humankind in the cosmos. If more psychiatrists could be persuaded that human consciousness transcends the limitations of the physical brain, and instead is but an aspect of what may best be described as 'cosmic consciousness,' we could not only expect treatment modalities to change, but we could also anticipate the possibility of culture-wide rethinking of the basic presuppositions of modern cosmology, the cosmology that grounds Western institutions, ideologies, and beliefs about the nature of personhood." -- Michael E. Zimmerman, author of Contesting Earth's Future: Radical Ecology and Postmodernity Stanislav Grof, MD, is a psychiatrist with more than fifty years of experience in research of non-ordinary states of consciousness. He has been Principal Investigator in a psychedelic research program at the Psychiatric Research Institute in Prague, Czechoslovakia; Chief of Psychiatric Research at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University; and Scholar-in-Residence at the Esalen Institute. He is currently Professor of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, conducts professional training programs in holotropic breathwork, and gives lectures and seminars worldwide. He is one of the founders and chief theoreticians of transpersonal psychology and the founding president of the International Transpersonal Association (ITA). In 2007, he was granted the prestigious Vision 97 award from the Vaclav and Dagmar Havel Foundation in Prague. He is the author and editor of many books, including The Adventure of Self-Discovery: Dimensions of Consciousness and New Perspectives in Psychotherapy and Inner Exploration; Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science; Beyond the Brain: Birth, Death, and Transcendence in Psychotherapy; The Cosmic Game: Explorations of the Frontiers of Human Consciousness; and Human Survival and Consciousness Evolution; all published by SUNY Press.
A study of humanistic psychology, once perceived as a "third force" to counterbalance the alleged reductionism of behaviorism and pessimism of psychoanalysis. But today, in an age where identity and clear branding seem to take precedence, the role of humanistic psychology and the therapeutic practices aligned with it is questioned.
Elkins, a long-time leading voice in humanistic psychology, presents a compelling case about what is wrong with contemporary psychotherapy and how, through a re-envisioned humanistic psychology, it needs to change.
Positive psychology is currently equated with theory and research on the positive aspects of life. The reality could not be further from the truth. Positive psychology investigates and researches some of the most difficult and painful experiences. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life is an innovative and groundbreaking textbook that explores a variety of topics we consider to be part of the ‘dark’ side of life while emphasising their role in our positive functioning and transformation as human beings. This more nuanced approach to the notions of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ can be described as the ‘second wave' of Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology is one of the fastest growing and least understood branches of psychology. Exploring topics at the heart of Positive Psychology, such as meaning, resilience, human development, mortality, change, suffering, and spirituality, this book engages with so-called ‘negative’ matters from a Positive Psychology angle, showing how the path of personal development can involve experiences which, while challenging, can lead to growth, insight, healing and transformation. Containing useful resources, case studies, practical exercises and chapter summaries, Second Wave Positive Psychology is an essential guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying positive psychology, as well as clinicians wanting to know more about the subject. It will also be relevant to the layperson who is interested in positive psychology.
One of the founders of humanistic psychology, Abraham Maslow spent a lifetime developing theories that shaped not only psychology but counseling, education, social work, theology, marketing, and management as well. Indicative of his influence, Maslow's ideas on human behavior and motivation have become a part of public consciousness. At the time of his death 25 years ago, he left a vast collection of articles, essays, and letters intended for publication. Now, noted Maslow biographer Edward Hoffman has compiled the most compelling of these writings into one volume. In an array of letters, working papers, lectures, and journal entries. Maslow shares his thoughts on topics that range from self-actualization and well-being to American politics and organizational management. Hoffman provides helpful introductions to Maslow's life and work, as well as to each writing, and a handy glossary of terms used by Maslow. This valuable collection of papers also includes a foreword by Colin Wilson. Both scholars and students of personality, counseling, and humanistic psychology - as well as management, education, and social work - will discover new insights into Abraham Maslow's influential work through this important book.
"The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology presents a historic overview, theory, methodology, applications to practice and to broader settings, and an epilogue for the new millennium...The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology is an academic text excellently suited for collegiate education and research...The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology will be the inspiration and reference source for the next generation of humanists in all fields." - Lynn Seiser, Ph.D., THE THERAPIST "This volume represents an essential milestone and defining moment for humanistic psychology.... [It] belongs on the shelf of everyone who identifies with the humanistic movement and can serve as an excellent resource for those who would like to offer their students more than the perfunctory three paragraphs designated to humanistic psychology found in most introductory psychology books" -Donadrian Rice, CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY "Psychologists already partial to humanistic perspectives will take great pleasure in reading this book, and those seeking to expand their understanding of psychological humanism will find themselves much informed, perhaps even inspired, by it." - Irving B. Weiner, PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH "A cornucopia of valuable historical, theoretical, and practical information for the Humanistic Psychologist." — Irvin Yalom, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Stanford University "The editors represent both the founding generation and contemporary leadership and the contributors they have enlisted include most of the active voices in the humanistic movement. I know of no better source for either insiders or outsiders to grasp what humanistic psychology is about, and what either insiders or outsiders should do about it." — M. Brewster Smith, University of California at Santa Cruz "As a humanist it offered me a breadth I had not known existed, as a researcher it offered me an excellent statement of in depth research procedures to get closer to human experience, as a practitioner it offered me inspiration. For all those who work with and explore human experience, you can not afford to miss the voice of the third force so excellently conveyed in this comprehensive coverage of its unique view of human possibility and how to harness it." — Leslie S. Greenberg, York University Irvin Yalom, M. Brewster Smith, Leslie S. Greenberg, Inspired by James F. T. Bugental′s classic, Challenges of Humanistic Psychology (1967), The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology represents the latest scholarship in the resurgent field of humanistic psychology and psychotherapy. Set against trends toward psychological standardization and medicalization, the handbook provides a rich tapestry of reflection by the leading person-centered scholars of our time. Their range in topics is far-reaching—from the historical, theoretical, and methodological, to the spiritual, psychotherapeutic, and multicultural. Psychology is poised for a renaissance, and this handbook plays a critical role in that transformation. As increasing numbers of students and professionals rebel against mechanizing trends, they are looking for the fuller, deeper, and more personal psychological orientation that this handbook promotes.
Providing an overview of essential topics in multicultural psychology, Humanistic Approaches to Multiculturalism and Diversity focuses on the intersection of humanistic psychology and multiculturalism, including history, theory, research, and practice. The authors examine the unique contributions of humanistic psychology to multicultural psychology on topics often ignored, such as cultural empathy and indigenous psychology and diversity. The book critiques and rectifies previous failures to adequately engage multicultural issues by providing methods for integrating multicultural psychology and humanistic therapy. Readers will find that each chapter advances scholarship through a dialogue with multicultural perspectives and builds a foundation for future scholarship and clinical practice. This book will be of great interest to mental health professionals interested in humanistic and existential psychology.
Founded in the 1960s, transpersonal psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology that has been dedicated to the study of exceptional human experiences and functioning inclusive of ancient and indigenous spiritual and mystical traditions. While initially holding tremendous promise to expand psychological science and practice beyond the purview of conventional psychology, the field has encountered a variety of challenges that its advocates have recognized as compromising its progress. Among the most pervasive of these challenges has been controversy and disagreement regarding the place of science in transpersonal psychological inquiry and practice. Even though some efforts have been made by scholars in the field to address the challenges, these efforts have been largely piecemeal in nature, involving articles or chapters in books that express the viewpoints of individual scholars without a fulsome consideration of multiple perspectives of people throughout the world who identify as members of the subdiscipline. This book is the first in the history of the field to bring together the voices of respected members of the transpersonal psychological community to specifically discuss the relation of transpersonal psychology to science in order to find ways of helping the subdiscipline move forward in a productive manner. This volume includes invited chapters from a broad array of international experts in transpersonal psychology who proffer interesting and sometimes conflicting perspectives regarding how science fits within the subdiscipline. The book ends with a chapter written by the editors that summarizes and highlights the main points of issue shared by the expert contributors and offers concrete recommendations for how transpersonal psychology can improve itself as a field of inquiry and professional practice.
Humanism and Behaviorism: Dialogue and Growth explores issues in humanistic and behavioristic approaches to personality change. It seeks to demonstrate the value of a dialogue between humanism and behaviorism in order to clarify controversies between the two approaches; evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach; and show the potential of syntheses between parts of each approach to develop new and useful integrations. This book is divided into eight sections and begins with an overview of the state of humanism and behaviorism and the controversies that have divided them, along with the possible frameworks for synthesizing the two. The next section focuses on the person, techniques of therapy, and therapist control. Behavior therapy as a humanitarian enterprise is considered. Subsequent chapters assess the effectiveness of humanistic and behavioristic approaches to personality change and the compatibilities between them. The theory of affective behaviorism and its application to effectively teach children with behavior problems to develop self-control is described. Self and personality are also discussed from humanistic and behavioristic viewpoints. Finally, some possible directions for the future of humanism and behaviorism are suggested. This monograph should be useful to undergraduate and graduate students in clinical and personality psychology; to those who intend to do research in and/or practice psychotherapy; and to academicians and professionals in psychology, philosophy, psychiatry, social work, and counseling.
