New Thoughts on The Nature of Purpose in Life
New Thoughts on The Nature of Purpose in Life
We Know A Lot and Yet, Less Than We Think on This Lofty Topic
NOTE: this is part of a series on the science of purpose in life including how this stable architecture of psychological life is related to managing emotions (click here).
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Of the elements relevant to living a fulfilling life, why focus on purpose in life?
Scientists have accumulated evidence on how a greater sense of purpose is associated with a wide range of physical and psychological health benefits. There is evidence that a greater sense of purpose amplifies the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in clinical, work, and educational settings. Priming someone about their purpose reduces ingroup-outgroup biases and increases an openness to spending time with people from diverse backgrounds.
As interest in purpose in life has ballooned in research and popular culture, and there has been an influx of new assessment approaches. Purpose in life is too valuable of a human endeavor to be under-appreciated. To ensure this work is durable, we must integrate insights on how to best measure, study, understand, and target this important phenomenon.
In 2009, Patrick McKnight and I published a review on the nature of purpose in life in the Review of General Psychology (cited over 1,000 times) (read it here). In the 15 years since that publication, a lot has happened. In our yet to be shared new work, we review what purpose in life is along with offer concrete suggestions for improving existing science and practice.
Be the first to read the preprint here or download it here:
For More on Purpose in Life
If you enjoy this newsletter, please check out my award-winning book, The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively. This book offers a wide range of strategies for discerning purpose, committing to a purpose, and helping others uncover their purpose. Send a copy to someone who could use life direction and a burst of creativity and courage.
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