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Are You Being Prepared?

Kim E. Clark

Healing While Studying March 22, 2024 DOI: 10.1108/979-8-88730-501-120251007 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Key points Argues that "Oppositional cultural practice" theory, or the "Clark unitive effect," describes how individuals achieve lasting social change while also offering an instructive pathway others can follow, and proposes it may help reduce decision-making errors and inform interventions, policies, and educational programs addressing major global issues.

Abstract

This chapter tells of my journey, the spiritual practices that keep me resilient, and why I have headed down this path. Oppositional cultural practice (OCP) theory (also called the Clark unitive effect) describes a way of thinking and acting. The transdisciplinary theory can be understood as both a way of comprehending how individuals come to achieve lasting social changes and also as providing a pathway for others to follow. The theory describes this journey and lays out some ways in which it might be understood. Thus, the theory is descriptive and also instructive. The theory is the practice, and the practice is the theory. This process may also help students, researchers, educators, and policymakers determine how to reduce errors in decision-making. Furthermore, it may also assist with the development of interventions, policies, educational programs, and other actions so that the broad impacts of the world’s most pressing issues may be ameliorated. This chapter intends to exemplify the possibility for peak experiences through grounding a scholarly voice in the material, aesthetic, emotional, and spiritual experiences of being human.