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What is transpersonal psychology? A concise definition based on 20 years of research.

Glenn Hartelius

The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies February 17, 2022 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2022.41.1.5 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Key points Proposes a definition of transpersonal psychology as a transformative psychology of the whole person that emphasizes states of consciousness and developmental models expanding beyond conventional self.

Abstract

Research on definitions of the field of psychology and themes in the literature of the field over a period of 20 years inform this description: Transpersonal psychology is a transformative psychology of the whole person embedded within a diverse, interconnected, and evolving world that pays particular attention to states of consciousness and developmental models reflecting expansion beyond conventional notions of self. Each element of this definition is examined, as well as the four phases of definitional development within the field from its founding in 1968 up to the present.