evidence of a purpose in life psychological resource (2016).pdf · 2019-03-27 · purpose:...
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RCCP June 21-24, 2016 Lake George, NY
Purpose in LifeEvidence of a Psychological
Resource
Dr. Anthony Burrow Department of Human Development
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Purpose as a Prescription
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.
Mourning Dove
The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.William Cowper
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What do we say about purpose?
2002 2010 2008
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Purpose: Defining Characteristics
❖ Purpose is a central, self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals, manages behaviors, and provides a sense of meaning.❖ promotes optimal resource allocation (McKnight & Kashdan, 2009)
• “a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at once meaningful to the self and of consequence to the world beyond the self” (Damon et al., 2003)
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How do we measure purpose?Purpose in Life Scale (Carol Ryff, 1989)
❖ I enjoy making plans for the future bringing them into reality.
❖ My daily activities never seem trivial and unimportant to me.
❖ I am active in carrying out the plans I set for myself.
❖ I have a good sense of what it is I'm trying to accomplish in life.
❖ Some people wander aimlessly through life, but I am not one of them.
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How do we measure purpose?
Purpose in Life
+
Individuals who score higher on measures of purpose in life are rated as more
attractive by others.
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Recognizing purpose when we see it
Purposeful people have greater
interpersonal appeal
Attractiveness & Likeability
Potential for Friendship
Interest in Conversation
Stillman et al (2010) SPPS
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Where Does Purpose Come From?
Three pathways to purpose in life:
1. Proactive Development❖ Sustained, effortful, and gradual exploration
2. Reactive Development❖ Transformative life events
3. Social Learning Development❖ Observing others engage in meaningful work
Hill, Burrow, & Sumner (2014); Kashdan & McKnight (2009)
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What good is Purpose?
Purpose is a component of psychological well-being(Ryff, 1989)
Purpose is an indicator of human flourishing(Fredrickson & Losada, 2005)
Purpose associated with:• + Other PWB indicators (Ryff, 1989)
• + Positive Affect and - Negative affect (Zika & Chamberlain, 1992)
• + Happiness (McGregor, McAdams, & Little, 2006)
• + Generativity and Personal Growth (Hill and Burrow, 2010)
• - Impulsivity (Burrow & Spreng, 2016)
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Boyle et al. (2009) Psychosomatic Medicine
Purpose and Longevity
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Purpose is a good thing to have
Lowers risk of myocardial infarction
Kim et al (2013)Reduces somatic symptoms
Ishida & Okada (2006)
Lower risk of stroke Kim et al (2013)
Lower risk of Alzheimer's and cognitive decline
Boyle et al (2009)
Speeds recovery from knee surgery
(Zautra & Smith, 2004)
Reduced effects of neurotoxicity Wenzel et al (2002)
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Methods❖ N = 116 undergraduates (58% female)
❖ 8% Black, 15% Latino, 18% Asian, 60% White
1. Define what it means to have a sense of purpose. 2. What is your purpose in life?
3. Where does your sense of purpose come from?
1. List the most recent movie you’ve watched. 2. Which actors/actresses were in the movie3. Describe the plot of the movie.
Purpose Prime Control Prime
Train Phase:
• Rode metro-train for 14 consecutive stops • At each stop, indicated NA: “distressed”, “nervous”, “alone” • Marked “X” on sliding scale anchored with: Not at all – Extremely
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Data Reduction
❖ Independent Variable:❖ % ethnic out-group
❖ M = .63❖ Range = .22 – .98
88% of assessments included all 4 ethnic groups
Stop WM WF AM AF LM LF BM BF
Addison 8 6 1 2 3 2 5 4
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Neg
ativ
e Affe
ct
0
1
2
3
4
5
Low diversity High diversity
ControlPurpose
Burrow & Hill (2013). Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Findings
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Purpose and Perception❖ Motivated perception
❖ We see the world we are motivated to see.❖ Available resources make environments seem more actionable
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Purpose and PerceptionD
egre
es O
vere
stim
ated
25
31.25
37.5
43.75
50
Appraised Effort
Low Effort High Effort
Low PurposeHigh Purpose
Burrow, Sumner, & Hill (2015). Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
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Thank You!