Meaning, Mortality, and Choice: The Social Psychology of Existential Concerns (Herzliya Series on Personality and Social Psychology)

A fundamental aspect of being human is knowing that one day we will die. Efforts to contend with this knowledge are at the root of a great many social behaviors across a variety of domains, and include efforts to transcend the human body, aggression against enemies and the need for scapegoats, even extreme reactions such as terrorism and suicide, as well as the development of symbolic language and the creation of art and music. In this thought-provoking addition to the Herzliya Series on Personality and Social Psychology, editors Phillip R. Shaver and Mario Mikulincer have gathered a varied group of international thinkers to investigate these existential concerns within a framework that is both philosophical and practical. Theorists examine the nature of universal themes such as the importance of personal choice and human autonomy in an arbitrary world, and the vital roles of parenthood and religion in providing solace against the threat of meaninglessness. And clinicians discuss the use of various cognitive behavioral therapies, emphasizing the mind's propensity to assign value in ways that can be either maladaptive or liberating. The authors build upon insights from previous chapters, resulting in a cohesive and thoughtfully-prepared book filled with cutting-edge research. Contents Contributors Preface Introduction Part I The Problem of Finitude Chapter 1 Terror Management Theory: From Genesis to Revelations Chapter 2 Helplessness: A Hidden Liability Associated With Failed Defenses Against Awareness of Death Chapter 3 A Significant Contributor to a Meaningful Cultural Drama: Terror Management Research on the Functions and Implications of Self-Esteem Chapter 4 Culture, Ideology, Morality, and Religion: Death Changes Everything Chapter 5 A Body of Terror: Denial of Death and the Creaturely Body Chapter 6 The Impermanence of All Things: An Existentialist Stance on Personal and Social Change Part II The Threat of Meaninglessness Chapter 7 Meaning: Ubiquitous and Effortless Chapter 8 Religion as a Source of Meaning Chapter 9 Becoming and Developing: Personal Growth in the Wake of Parenthood and Grandparenthood Chapter 10 Deriving Solace From a Nemesis: Having Scapegoats and Enemies Buffers the Threat of Meaninglessness Chapter 11 Terrorism as Means to an End: How Political Violence Bestows Significance Part III The Challenge of Freedom Chapter 12 Beyond Illusions and Defense: Exploring the Possibilities and Limits of Human Autonomy and Responsibility Through Self-Determination Theory Chapter 13 Conditional Regard in Close Relationships Chapter 14 Removing the Constraints on Our Choices: A Psychobiological Approach to the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Techniques Chapter 15 Choice, Freedom, and Autonomy Part IV Connection Versus Isolation and Loneliness Chapter 16 An Attachment Perspective on Coping With Existential Concerns Chapter 17 Ostracism: The Impact of Being Rendered Meaningless Chapter 18 Why People Die by Suicide: Further Development and Tests of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior Part V Overcoming Existential Threats and Challenges Chapter 19 The Case of Allison: An Existential-Integrative Inquiry Into Death Anxiety, Groundlessness, and the Quest for Meaning and Awe Chapter 20 Separation Theory and Voice Therapy Methodology Chapter 21 Acceptance and Commitment to Chosen Values in Cognitive Behavior Therapy Part VI Synthesis Chapter 22 The Social Psychology of Meaning, Mortality, and Choice: An Integrative Perspective on Existential Concerns Index About the Editors "A fundamental aspect of being human is knowing that one day we will die. Efforts to contend with this knowledge are at the root of a great many social behaviors across a variety of domains, and include efforts to transcend the human body, aggression against enemies and the need for scapegoats, even extreme reactions such as terrorism and suicide, as well as the development of symbolic language and the creation of art and music. In this thought-provoking addition to the Herzliya Series on Personality and Social Psychology, editors Phillip R. Shaver and Mario Mikulincer have gathered a varied group of international thinkers to investigate these existential concerns within a framework that is both philosophical and practical. Theorists examine the nature of universal themes such as the importance of personal choice and human autonomy in an arbitrary world, and the vital roles of parenthood and religion in providing solace against the threat of meaninglessness. And clinicians discuss the use of various cognitive-behavioral therapies, emphasizing the mind's propensity to assign value in ways that can be either maladaptive or liberating. The authors build upon insights from previous chapters, resulting in a cohesive and thoughtfully-prepared book filled with cutting-edge research"--Publicity materials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). A fundamental aspect of being human is knowing that one day we will die. In this thought-provoking addition to the Herzliya Series on Personality and Social Psychology, a group of international theorists and clinicians investigates a variety of existential concerns.