Existential-Phenomenological Perspectives in Psychology: Exploring the Breadth of Human Experience

by Ronald S. Valle (Editor)

Both a new book and a revised version of Existential- phenomenological alternatives for psychology, Oxford U. Press, 1978. Twelve of the 20 chapters are new; eight are substantially revised. A special section on transpersonal psychology has been added. Discusses many of the standard topics in psychology from a point of view emphasizing experience rather than behavior.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy

355 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Mick Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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This is my second reading of ‘Existential-Phenomenological Perspectives in Psychology: Exploring the Breadth of Human Experience’ with a special section on Transpersonal Psychology (1989) edited by Ronald S Valle & Steen Halling. An earlier publication, 1978, ‘Existential-Phenomenological Alternatives for Psychology’ (Valle & King). The difference between ‘alternative’ & ‘perspectives in’ signals a significant evolution in the discipline. In the perspective version, the emphasis moves from 6 existential therapists to the then-developing field of transpersonal psychology. Eight chapters from retained as in the original were updated & substantially revised.
This time I focused on those contributors at or associated with the Psychology Department at Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost. Of 25 contributors/chapters 3 were Duquesne faculty, & 1 was former faculty.
Dr Constance T Fischer, William F Fischer [not related], & Rolf von Eckartsberg from the Department of Psychology at Duquesne. Amedeo Giorgi of Saybrook Institute & Adrian Van Kaam were founding members of the "Duquesne School" of Psychology, where he began formalizing phenomenological methods for psychology. He was a key figure in the history of the humanistic psychology movement, alongside such notable pioneers as Car Rogers and Fritz Peris. He is a noted historian of the field of psychology, particularly alternative strands.
Fr Adrian van Kaam CSSp sought to foster psychology as a ‘human science,’ he drew extensively on Continental thinkers like Max Scheler & Viktor Frankl, & brought Amedeo Giorgi, Charles Maes, & Tony Barton to Duquesne. In 1963, Father van Kaam left the Psychology Department but continued his exploration of the spiritual development at the Institute of Formative Spirituality, & later, the Epiphany Academy, which he founded with Dr. Susan Muto in 1979. Fr van Kaam was one of my mentors, I studied at his Institute of Formative Spirituality at Duquesne. His research is cited in the book.
Also mentioned is Dr Paul F Colaizzi who received his bachelor's & master's degrees in psychology & philosophy & his doctorate in existential-phenomenological psychology from Duquesne University.

[Tara Renee Breitenbucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best introduction into existential phenomenological psychotherapy available.