“Multiple Voices, Multiple Stories, Multiple Selves: Human Diversity and the Humanistic Vision”
Deadline: Nov. 16, 2012
Humanistic psychology aims to be faithful to the full range of human experience. Its foundations include philosophical humanism, existentialism and phenomenology. In the science and profession of psychology, humanistic psychology seeks to develop systematic and rigorous methods of studying human beings, and to heal the fragmentary character of contemporary psychology through an ever more comprehensive and integrative approach. Humanistic psychologists are particularly sensitive to uniquely human dimensions, such as experiences of creativity and transcendence, and to the quality of human welfare. Accordingly, humanistic psychology aims especially at contributing to psychotherapy, education, theory, philosophy of psychology, research methodology, organization and management, and social responsibility and change.
We are seeking proposals that address issues of human difference and diversity in dialogue with a humanistic perspective. Preferred proposals are posters and symposia. Some related questions of interest include but are not limited to:
- How may humanistic psychology contribute to addressing the paradox of seeking truth yet being open to diversity and respectful of difference?
- What are ways that psychology might address human suffering and work toward human growth and development without essentializing groups of people in harmful or oppressive ways?
- In what ways can humanistic psychology contribute to a more integrated field of psychology, with more meaningful contributions from minorities and marginalized groups of people? How can this be accomplished without falling prey to mere tokenism?
- What are historical and contemporary contributions to humanistic psychology among minorities and women?
Contact information for Division 32 Program co-chairs: