The Human Quest for Meaning: Theories, Research, and Applications

765 Pages·2012·8.433 MB·English

by  Paul T. P. Wong

2nd Edition
THE HUMAN
QUEST
FOR
MEANING

Personality and Clinical Psychology
Irving B. Weiner
University of South Florida
Series Editor
Th is series of books is intended to provide information about personal-
ity processes and their implications for the science and practice of clinical
psychology. To this end, the books in the series integrate conceptual formula-
tions, research fi ndings, and practical recommendations concerning a broad
range of topics, including theoretical perspectives on the nature of person-
ality; biological and psychosocial infl uences on personality development;
continuity and change in dimensions of personality across the lifespan; per-
sonality characteristics likely to foster adjustment diffi culties; classifi cation
of abnormal personality patterns associated with psychopathological condi-
tions; assessment procedures for evaluating individual diff erences in person-
ality and identifying types of psychopathology; and methods of ameliorating
adjustment problems, treating psychological disturbances, and promoting
positive mental health.
“Th e human heart is a meaning-making organ. Living meaningfully with intention is a fulcrum
that can counter the gravity of any predicament. In Th e Human Quest for Meaning a host of old
pros provide the theory, research, and methods of meaning-centered practice.”
–Jeff rey K. Zeig, PhD, Th e Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Arizona
“Th is new edition of Th e Human Quest for Meaning: Th eories, Research, and Applications pres-
ents much of the best thinking and research on the human quest for meaning done in clinical,
experimental, and social psychology today. Paul T. P. Wong has done a commendable job in
selecting and bringing together leading researchers and their ideas. Th is book is destined to
become a classic textbook in positive psychology, counseling, and the existential philosophy of
psychology.”
–Alexander Batthyany, PhD, lecturer of philosophy of psychology and cognitive science,
University of Vienna; director, Viktor Frankl Institute, Vienna; author, Empirical Research on
Logotherapy and Meaning-Oriented Psychotherapy and Mind and Materialism; principal editor,
Collected Works of Viktor Frankl (14 volumes)
“Th is is a book of enormous scope and diversity. Refl ective of Paul Wong’s philosophical legacy,
this work combines some of the best literature on meaning research with some of the wisest and
most personally meaningful applications of that literature. I strongly recommend this volume.”
–Kirk J. Schneider, PhD, author (with Orah Krug), Existential-Humanistic Th erapy and
Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy; editor, Journal of Humanistic Psychology; vice president,
Existential-Humanistic Institute, California
“Meaning matters! Th at’s the persuasive message of this evidence-based review of the roots and
fruits of meaning. Anyone interested in the human quest for meaning need look no further than
this synopsis of state-of-the-art scholarship.”
–David Myers, PhD, professor of psychology, Hope College, Michigan; author, Th e Pursuit of
Happiness
“Anyone interested in the concept of meaning, whether student or senior faculty, researcher or
clinician, will fi nd this volume diffi cult to put down. Each chapter broadens and deepens our
understanding of this fascinating topic. As a whole, the volume should be treasured as a com-
pendium of contemporary thought about meaning.”
–Susan Folkman, PhD, professor of medicine emeritus, University of California, San Francisco
(UCSF)
“Paul Wong is the expert on the psychology of meaning, and this edited volume shows why.
Within these chapters he has assembled a comprehensive, authoritative, and cutting-edge review
of the topic. Th is book is not to be placed on the shelf and forgotten. It is an essential resource for
both researchers and practitioners who want a deeper understanding of why meaning matters.”
–Robert A. Emmons, PhD, professor of psychology, University of California, Davis; editor-in-
chief, Th e Journal of Positive Psychology
“With absolute conviction, this is the most comprehensive, scholarly statement to date on the
nature of meaning and purpose in life. Th ere is no better example of the deep dialogue between
science, philosophy, and practice than this classic work. Anybody who is interested in this topic
should have a copy on their bookshelf.”
–Todd B. Kashdan, PhD, professor of psychology, George Mason University, Virginia; author,
Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfi lling Life and Designing Positive Psychology
“Like the previous edition, this book represents a landmark contribution to the study of mean-
ing. Th is stimulating volume is essential reading for researchers and practitioners interested in
the topic of meaning. It will set the intellectual agenda in this fi eld for years to come.”
–Camille B. Wortman, PhD, professor of psychology, Stony Brook University, New York; coau-
thor, Traumatic Bereavement and Treatment for Survivors of Sudden Death
2nd Edition
THE HUMAN
QUEST
FOR
MEANING
Theories, Research,
and Applications
Edited by
PA U L T. P. W O N G
New York London
Routledge Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group Taylor & Francis Group
711 Third Avenue 27 Church Road
New York, NY 10017 Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA
© 2012 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
Version Date: 20110812
International Standard Book Number: 978-0-415-87677-3 (Hardback)
For permission to photocopy or use material electronically from this work, please access www.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The human quest for meaning : theories, research, and applications / edited by
Paul T.P. Wong. -- 2nd ed.
p. cm. -- (Personality and clinical psychology series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-415-87677-3 (hardback : alk. paper)
1. Meaning (Psychology) I. Wong, Paul T. P. II. Title. III. Series.
BF463.M4H86 2011
153--dc23 2011028347
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
http://www.taylorandfrancis.com
and the Routledge Web site at
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Contents
Foreword xi
Editor xiii
Contributors xv
Acknowledgments xxvii
Introduction xxix
Part I Th eories
1 Toward a Dual-Systems Model of What Makes Life
Worth Living 3
PAUL T. P. WONG
2 Th e Search for Meaning in Evolutionary Goal-Th eory
Perspective and Its Clinical Implications 23
ERIC KLINGER
3 Creating Meaning Th rough Making Decisions 57
SALVATORE R. MADDI
4 Motivation, Meaning, and Wellness: A Self-Determination
Perspective on the Creation and Internalization of Personal
Meanings and Life Goals 81
NETTA WEINSTEIN, RICHARD M. RYAN, and EDWARD L. DECI
5 Meaning and Personality 107
DAN P. McADAMS
6 Positive Aff ect and Meaning in Life: Th e Intersection of
Hedonism and Eudaimonia 125
LAURA A. KING and JOSHUA A. HICKS
7 On the Distinction Between Subjective Well-Being and
Meaning in Life: Regulatory Versus Reconstructive
Functions in the Face of a Hostile World 143
DOV SHMOTKIN and AMIT SHRIRA
8 Experiencing Meaning in Life: Optimal Functioning at the
Nexus of Well-Being, Psychopathology, and Spirituality 165
MICHAEL F. STEGER
vii
viii • Contents
9 Th e Meaning of Love 185
ARTHUR ARON and ELAINE N. ARON
10 Meaning and Death Attitudes 209
ADRIAN TOMER
11 Existential Well-Being and Health 233
CAROL D. RYFF
12 Relational Buddhism: A Psychological Quest for Meaning
and Sustainable Happiness 249
MAURITS G. T. KWEE
Part II Research
13 Character Strengths and the Life of Meaning 277
CHRISTOPHER PETERSON and NANSOOK PARK
14 Th e Construction of Meaning From Life Events: Empirical
Studies of Personal Narratives 297
KRISTIN L. SOMMER, ROY F. BAUMEISTER, and
TYLER F. STILLMAN
15 Autobiographical Memory and Personal Meaning: Stable
Versus Flexible Meanings of Remembered Life Experiences 315
DENISE R. BEIKE and TRAVIS S. CRONE
16 Life Meaning and Purpose in Life Among Chinese
Adolescents: What Can We Learn From Chinese Studies in
Hong Kong? 335
DANIEL T. L. SHEK
17 Meaning-in-Life Measures and Development of a Brief
Version of the Personal Meaning Profi le 357
MARVIN J. MCDONALD, PAUL T. P. WONG, and
DANIEL T. GINGRAS
18 Restoring, Maintaining, and Enhancing Personal Meaning
in Life Th rough Autobiographical Methods 383
GARY T. REKER, JAMES E. BIRREN, and CHERYL M. SVENSSON
19 Meaning in Life and Healthy Aging 409
NEAL KRAUSE
20 Personal Meaning in Life and Psychosocial Adaptation in
the Later Years 433
GARY T. REKER and PAUL T. P. WONG
Contents • ix
21 Meaning and Agency in the Context of Genetic Testing for
Familial Cancer 457
LISA G. ASPINWALL, SAMANTHA L. LEAF, and
SANCY A. LEACHMAN
Part III Applications
22 Clinical Approaches to Discrepancies in Meaning:
Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment 497
JEANNE M. SLATTERY and CRYSTAL L. PARK
23 Meaning and Meaning Making in Cancer Survivorship 521
CRYSTAL L. PARK
24 When Meaning Is Th reatened: Th e Importance of Goal
Adjustment for Psychological and Physical Health 539
CARSTEN WROSCH, MICHAEL F. SCHEIER, GREGORY E. MILLER,
and CHARLES S. CARVER
25 Pathways to Personal Transformation: Th eoretical and
Empirical Developments 559
RICHARD G. TEDESCHI and LAWRENCE G. CALHOUN
26 Th e Human Heart or Recovering the Meaning of Life: A
Th eory Integrating Sexuality, Meaning of Life, and Sense of
Coherence Applied in Holistic Th erapy 573
SØREN VENTEGODT and JOAV MERRICK
27 A Meaning-Centered Approach to Building Youth Resilience 585
PAUL T. P. WONG and LILIAN C. J. WONG
28 From Logotherapy to Meaning-Centered Counseling
and Th erapy 619
PAUL T. P. WONG
Author Index 649
Subject Index 681