Background and Purpose: Anger is implicated in nearly every social pathology, from war to bullying to child abuse. Yet, it is also the spark of reform for nearly every positive social movement, from civil rights to labor rights to handicapped rights. This article examines how anger has been understood and misunderstood across different discursive…

The first year of college constitutes a time of substantial transition for incoming students. Clearly, students vary greatly in their ability to cope with and adjust to these new challenges, and some students face far more challenges than others. A potentially important resource for successfully accomplishing this life transition is positive…

Psychosynthesis is a name for the process of personal growth: our natural tendency to harmonize our various aspects at even higher levels of organization. This section considers the many subpersonalities that compose each one of us. It gives exercises in discovering them, understanding them, and getting free from their control. (Author/BP)

Identifies fundamental principles of psychology to explain how the self begins and develops over the life span. The influences that contribute to the creation of false and true selves in gifted children are discussed and strategies for promoting the true self of gifted children are offered. (Author/DB)

Mothers (n=21) with identified sexually abused children were assessed for levels of ego development. Subjects generally grouped at the mid-range of ego development scales, reflecting individuals beginning to achieve balance between internal and external problems in life. Mothers at higher levels of ego development were found to be more likely to…

This interview evokes much of the essential spirit of Gestalt Therapy and some of its techniques. Gestalt is a method of growth for developing the potential of the healthy individual. It emphasizes acquiring awareness of the existential moment, integrating unconscious aspects of self, and taking responsibility for one's actions. (Author/BP)

Shame becomes inevitably bound up with the process of identity formation. The experience of shame is a fundamental sense of being defective as a person, accompanied by fear of exposure and self-protective rage. The shame-inducing process involves one significant person breaking the interpersonal bridge with another. (Author)

Personal happiness and social cohesion depend on individuals' committing themselves to something larger than themselves--a cause, or the ideal of helping others. (JH)

Based on the premise that personality psychology is aimed ultimately at providing a scientific basis for understanding individuals, it is argued on several grounds that the assessment and study of individual differences is essentially useless to the discipline. The basis for an alternative approach, termed "idiothetic," is described, in…

The theory of transactional analysis (TA) originated by Eric Berne in the 1950's is typified by structural analysis and is comprised of the ego states of Parent, Adult, and Child. Linkages are the life scripts of the individual. One ego state is usually in control at any given time. Pathology results when ego boundaries become rigid or break down…

A holistic approach to health education is presented with a model outlining the scope, direction and impact of such education on individual development. The fundamental concept in this model is the interrelationship between physical, mental, and spiritual health, and it expands from these three areas into dimensions that may and may not be altered…

The writings of Abraham Maslow are analyzed to determine the meaning of the psychological term "self-actualization." After pointing out that self-actualization is a rare quality and that it has little to do with formal education, the author concludes that the concept has little practical relevance for teacher education. (PP)

The variety of culturally-constituted conceptions of self are investigated in this essay. A history of ethnopsychology is given which includes an examination of evolutionist and sociological theories of the self in relation to culture and society. Various approaches to ethnopsychology are considered, and different facets of the self are explored.…

Maintains that the Puerto Rican Catholic and Jewish cultural and religious experience emphasizes family, communal values, and rituals. Argues that these commonalities can be a platform for building a comparative analysis and dialog. This dialog holds the possibility of strengthening personal and communal identities, as well as increasing…

The theory that certain motivation/talent/value drives formed through work experience function to guide and constrain entire careers is examined. This "career anchor" theory focuses upon what the individual feels are major areas of personal strength. This occupational self concept is based on how the individual perceives personal talents and…