The Postconventional Personality: Assessing, Researching, and Theorizing Higher Development (SUNY series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1438434642 ISBN 13: 9781438434643

Publisher: "State University of New York Press (May 1, 2011)", 2011

Synopsis

Cutting-edge volume devoted to optimal adult development.

Postconventional stages of personality development involve growth well beyond the average, and have become a rapidly growing subject of research not only in developmental psychology circles but also in areas such as executive leadership development. This book is the first to bring together many of the major researchers in the field, showcasing diverse perspectives ranging from the spiritual to the corporate. The contributors present research on essential questions about the existence and prevalence of high levels of personal growth, whether such achievement is correlated with other types of psychological growth, whether high levels of growth actually indicate happiness, what kinds of people exhibit these higher levels of development, how they may have developed this expanded perspective, and the characteristics of their viewpoints, abilities, and preoccupations. For anyone interested in Ken Wilber’s integral psychology, as well as those in executive coaching, this volume is an invaluable resource and will be a standard reference for years to come.

“This is an excellent resource for those interested in psychometrics collections and in transpersonal/humanistic psychology and life-span development … A solid companion to other titles in the ‘SUNY Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology.’” — CHOICE

This is a convention-breaking book that makes a much-needed contribution to the field. Its varied scholarly chapters explore the far reaches of human growth and potential—including the oft-neglected dimension of personality development. Chapters are written by veteran researchers and exemplars in adult development studies. Included are wonderfully creative theoretical explorations on personality development as well as original contributions that push the envelope of spiritual and religious development to unprecedented lengths. — Melvin E. Miller, coeditor of Self and No-Self: Continuing the Dialogue between Buddhism and Psychotherapy

“This book is the best place to go for current views on late-stage ego-development theory, practice, and measurement. It clarifies the promise and importance of these methods and models that stem from Loevinger (and H. S. Sullivan), casting an eye over a fascinating array of topics. But the book also explores the limitations and blind spots inherent in these methods. This is an excellent contribution to scholarly literature about the further reaches of human potential.” — Zachary Stein, Harvard University

About this title

About the Author

Angela H. Pfaffenberger has a PhD in psychology and is an independent researcher in personality theory. She maintains a private practice as a psychotherapist and acupuncturist in Salem, Oregon. Paul W. Marko has a PhD in psychology from Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. He is a developmental psychologist who works with both organizations and individuals. Allan Combs is Professor of Transformative Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. His many books include Consciousness Explained Better: Towards an Integral Understanding of the Multifaceted Nature of Consciousness.

Edition details

• Publisher: "State University of New York Press (May 1, 2011)"
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1438434642
• ISBN 13: 9781438434643
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 282
• Editor: Pfaffenberger Angela H., Marko Paul W., Combs Allan