Journal of Humanistic Psychology

Linked Table of Contents(Vol. 49 No. 3)

Editor's Commentary
Schneider, K. G.
July, '09,
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Why Humanistic Psychology Lost Its Power and Influence in American Psychology Implications for Advancing Humanistic Psychology

David N. Elkins
Pepperdine University, davidnelkins@hotmail.com

Why did humanistic psychology lose its power and influence in American psychology? Previous answers have focused on the historical shortcomings of the humanistic movement, a perspective that essentially "blames the victim." In contrast, this article suggests that two outside forces—mainstream American psychology and conservative forces in the larger culture—also played a role in undermining the humanistic vision. The article concludes that humanistic psychology lost its power and influence, in large measure, because it is inherently incompatible with the basic assumptions and values of contemporary mainstream psychology and with the conservative ideologies that have increasingly gained power in American culture since the 1960s. Implications of this analysis for the future of the humanistic movement are presented.

Key Words: humanistic psychology • history of humanistic psychology • encounter groups • negative stereotypes • conservatives

This version was published on July 1, 2009
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The Personality Construct of Hardiness, IV
Expressed in Positive Cognitions and Emotions Concerning Oneself and Developmentally Relevant Activities

Salvatore R. Maddi
Richard H. Harvey

San Francisco State University, srmaddi@uci.edu

Deborah M. Khoshaba

University of California, Irvine

Mostafa Fazel

University of California, Irvine

Nephthys Resurreccion

University of California, Irvine

Personality hardiness has emerged as a composite of the interrelated attitudes of commitment, control, and challenge that provides the existential courage and motivation to turn stressful circumstances from potential disasters into growth opportunities. This study contributes to the construct validity of the latest measure of hardiness, the Personal Views Survey III—R (PVS III-R). In a large sample of undergraduates, the PVS III-R measure of hardiness showed adequate internal consistency reliability, the expected intercorrelation of components, and the absence of relationship to socially desirable responding. Furthermore, as expected, hardiness was negatively related to depression, anxiety, and hostility, even though it was also negatively related to avoidance of intrusive, stressful thoughts. Also as expected, hardiness was associated with positive attitudes toward school, instructors, and one's own capabilities and standards as well as expressed satisfaction with life. This pattern of results fits well with those of previous construct-validational studies of hardiness.

Key Words: hardiness • commitment • control • challenge

This version was published on July 1, 2009
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Elizabeth K. Bugental
Jim Bugental: An Authentic Ending
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Tom Greening
Poems for Our Two Losses
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The Journey Is the Goal

The Legacy of James F. T. Bugental

G. Kenneth Bradford
John F. Kennedy University, ken@bradfordphd.com

Molly Merrill Sterling

A founder and exemplar of Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapy, James Bugental left a rich legacy in his many publications. But more importantly, it was his unwavering dedication to the search for authenticity that attests to the fertile depth of his life. Drawing upon his personal presence, his final words, and his pith instructions in teaching the art of psychotherapy, this article honors the heart of his work. Above all, he emphasized the practice of presence: daring to be open and responsive to an Other, and the willingness to trust in the mystery of being. While much therapy seeks answers or insights, for Jim, the discovery of vital meaning was less important than the experiential process of searching for it. As he said, "life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived." How to more fully live the mystery of our lives is his remarkable legacy.

Key Words: Bugental • existential • psychotherapy • presence • authenticity • journey • resilience

This version was published on July 1, 2009
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James Bugental and Irvin Yalom

Two Masters of Existential Therapy Cultivate Presence in the Therapeutic Encounter

Orah T. Krug
Existential-Humanistic Institute, orahkrug@sbcglobal.net

James Bugental and Irvin Yalom, noted existential psychotherapists and educators, both emphasize a psychotherapeutic method that cultivates presence. This important yet difficult to define therapeutic method deserves greater clarification due to its role in effecting therapeutic change. The present study compared Bugental and Yalom on selected presuppositions that relate to the cultivation of presence in order to explore their influence on each man's practice of existential psychotherapy. A psychobiographical framework illuminated how their personal experiences influenced the formation of these presuppositions. The present study revealed that the different presuppositions, which Bugental and Yalom hold about existential psychotherapy, influence each therapist's theoretical understanding of the cultivation of presence, which in turn shape how each practices existential psychotherapy. Although both therapists concentrate more on process than on content, Bugental usually attends to the intra personal processes of the client whereas Yalom often attends to the interpersonal processes. The findings of the present study help explain current research related to the significance of contextual factors in the therapeutic endeavor. The findings also highlight the importance of clarifying therapeutic presuppositions and assumptions. Finally, the findings illuminate the benefit of integrating intrapersonal and interpersonal approaches.

Key Words: James Bugental • Irvin Yalom • intrapersonal presence • interpersonal presence • existential psychotherapy • contextual factors

This version was published on July 1, 2009
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Portrait of Adrian van Kaam and Humanistic Psychology

Susan A. Muto
Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality, samuto@epiphayassociation.org

Frederick Martin

Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality

Father Adrian van Kaam, CSSp, PhD (1920-2007) remains a pioneering force in the development of humanistic psychology. Van Kaam's humanitarian efforts in Nazi occupied Holland during World War II inspired a model for spiritual encounter and a humane science of meaning that was formed by and in turn gave form to the excursions in humanistic psychology that were to follow. When he came to America in 1954, van Kaam knew and collaborated with many key figures in the humanistic movement, which remained an indelible part of his initiation at Duquesne University of "psychology as a human science"—an intellectual lineage that continued to some degree in the Institute of Man, which he founded at the university in 1963. This center evolved by 1979 into the Institute of Formative Spirituality under which he worked to perfect his formative approach to life and world. His efforts reached their crowning phase (1979-2007) under the auspices of the Epiphany Association, an independent center of research, publication, and adult formation cofounded by him and Doctor Susan Muto in 1979. The following reconstruction of van Kaam's contribution will accentuate the humanistic rubric and redress some of the issues surrounding its meaning and place in the annals of psychology.

Key Words: formative spirituality • formation science • formation anthropology

This version was published on July 1, 2009

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Harris L. Friedman and Robert Glazer
The Body Never Lies: In Memory of Alexander Lowen

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The JHP is available electronically to members of institutions with a print subscription or for a fee.

The Journal of Humanistic Psychology is an interdisciplinary forum for contributions, controversies and diverse statements pertaining to humanistic psychology. It addresses personal growth, interpersonal encounters, social problems and philosophical issues.

An international journal of human potential, self-actualization, the search for meaning and social change, the Journal of Humanistic Psychology was founded by Abraham Maslow and Anthony Sutich in 1961. It is the official journal of the Association for Humanistic Psychology, and maintains a close connection with the Saybrook Institute where Thomas Greening, JHP's editor for the past 26 years, is a member of the faculty. You can visit the Saybrook Institute's web site at www.saybrook.edu

Expand Your Horizons
The articles and features in JHP bring you the best of current scholarship covering a wide range of topics, such as: Authenticity · Community-building · Confluent education · Consciousness · Creativity · Existential psychotherapy · Holistic healing and learning · Humanistic politics · Humanistic psychotherapy · Human science research · Identity · I-Thou encounters · Love · Peace and mediation · Personal Growth · Self-actualization · Self-transcendence · Spiritual development · Synergy · Values.

A Multifaceted View of the Field
The Journal of Humanistic Psychology explores the many facets of humanistic psychology through a variety of features, including experiential reports, analyses of contemporary culture, theoretical papers, personal essays, poetry, research studies emphasizing human scientific methods, and applications of humanistic psychology.

Easy-to-Use Annual Index
For fast, easy reference, the last issue of each volume of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology includes an index of articles and authors.

Influential Scholars
Notable contributors to the Journal of Humanistic Psychology have included James F T Bugental, Abraham Maslow, Rollo May, Carl Rogers, Brewster Smith and Ken Wilber.

Thematic Issues and Sections
The Journal of Humanistic Psychology occasionally supplements its broad coverage with in-depth studies of topics of particular interest. Recent Special Issues and Special Sections include: International Developments in Humanistic Psychology · In Honor of Jim Bugental · Rollo May · Carl Rogers-The Man and His Ideas · Dialogue · Trauma and Transcendence · Leary, Drugs, Learning and Reality · The Growing Edge in Humanistic and Experiential Therapies.

Journal of Humanistic PsychologyContents: July 2009, Volume 49, No. 3

Journal of Humanistic Psychology
Contents: July 2009, Volume 49, No. 3