Psychosynthesis: A Foundational Bridge Between Psychology and Spirituality

Pastoral psychologists have long tried to establish a working model that encompasses the seemingly conflicting disciplines of science and religion. Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology and therapeutic approach, offers such a model of the human personality, in which the psychological and spiritual perspectives can converge. This article explores psychosynthesis psychology and therapy as a theoretical framework for pastoral psychology. Although psychosynthesis psychotherapy relies on an array of techniques, it fundamentally works with the clients’ will while emphasizing, exploring, and cultivating their relationships on all levels—intrapersonal, interpersonal, and with the Higher Self. In addition to the subconscious, psychosynthesis includes a higher psychological plane, called the superconscious, from which our higher ethical, aesthetic, scientific, and spiritual values are derived. This article begins by introducing psychosynthesis concepts and techniques. It then provides qualitative findings showing that psychosynthesis counseling helped to awaken spirituality in three out of eleven clients who had formerly identified themselves as atheists. In addition, testimonies are included that show that psychosynthesis counseling also helped all eleven clients to attain personal growth. Finally, the counselor describes her experience of psychosynthesis as a Christian in the therapeutic setting. The framework of psychosynthesis psychology and its techniques are viable methodologies for anyone searching to incorporate spiritual growth into a psychological working mode

The Peacekeeper: How The Role Of The Modern Soldier Has Changed And How That Affects Workload

Our objective is to make human factors scientists aware of the need for research regarding military peacekeeping. Little research has focused on the soldier as peacekeeper, even though a growing percentage of U.S. soldiers\u27 time is being spent in peacekeeping operations. The combat soldier faces a binary friend/foe discrimination task, and a mission involving the destruction of the enemy and the enemy\u27s warfighting capacity, with relatively less restrictiver ules of engagement. The peacekeeper soldier faces a fuzzy friend/foe/non-foe discrimination task, and a mission involving negotiation among disputing factions and preservation of life, with relatively more restrictive rules of engagement. Today\u27s American military forces often must shift between both these roles, resulting in stress that impacts performance in either role. These two roles probably make different workload demands on their operators, suggesting a need for focused research on combat versus peacekeeper workload; some current research programs into these issues are outlined

Affect As An Aspect Of Workload: Why And How To Address Affect In Automation And Simulation Studies

Affect is a much-neglected moderator of workload and performance. Research literature demonstrating affect\u27s influence on cognitive and physical tasks is summarized. In terms of cognitive performance, affect has been shown to influence memory function, decision making, problem solving, risk assessment, and performance on other cognitively loaded tasks. In terms of physical performance, affect has been shown to influence physical perceptions and interpersonal functioning, and to moderate performance on tasks that are heavily loaded for strenuous physical activity. Methodological suggestions are given regarding induction of affect in experimental studies, and assessment of affect. This paper presents the researcher in human performance, automation, and simulation with several resources: a rationale for including affect in the conceptualization of every study; a list of studies that demonstrate affect\u27s role in moderating cognitive and physical performance; references to theoretical models for affect, performance, and workload; references for induction of effect; references for assessment of affect

Professional Services Group

Affect is a much-neglected moderator of workload and performance. Research literature demonstrating affect’s influence on cognitive and physical tasks is summarized. In terms of cognitive performance, affect has been shown to influence memory function, decision making, problem solving, risk assessment, and performance on other cognitively loaded tasks. In terms of physical performance, affect has been shown to influence physical perceptions and interpersonal functioning, and to moderate performance on tasks that are heavily loaded for strenuous physical activity. Methodological suggestions are given regarding induction of affect in experimental studies, and assessment of affect. This paper presents the researcher in human performance, automation, and simulation with several resources: a rationale for including affect in the conceptualization of every study; a list of studies that demonstrate affect’s role in moderating cognitive and physical performance; references to theoretical models for affect, performance, and workload; references for induction of effect; references for assessment of affect