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Contemporary existentialist tendencies in psychology

Stuart Hanscomb

pp. 169-196

Abstract

Modem psychology's relation to existentialism takes at least three discernible forms. Firstly, theory and practice (particularly in psychotherapy, but also in other areas of psychology) that is directly traceable to philosophers and other writers who are termed "existentialist." Secondly, theory and practice that is not traceable in this way, but which raises questions, uses concepts or interprets findings in ways that are markedly existential. (Here, it is often the case that the researchers in question are unaware of the connection.) Thirdly, apparently non-existentialist psychological ideas—say, naturalistic, or psychodynamic insights—that are (coincidentally or not) found in the works of existentialist philosophers.

Publication details

Published in:

Ashworth Peter, Chung Man (2006) Phenomenology and psychological science: historical and philosophical perspectives. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 169-196

DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-33762-3_9

Full citation:

Hanscomb Stuart (2006) „Contemporary existentialist tendencies in psychology“, In: P. Ashworth & M. Chung (eds.), Phenomenology and psychological science, Dordrecht, Springer, 169–196.