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Related Concept Videos

Humanistic Psychology01:24

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Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the deterministic and pessimistic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. While behaviorism focused on observable behaviors influenced by the environment and psychoanalysis delved into unconscious motivations, both theories suggested that human actions lacked free will. In contrast, humanistic psychology offers a perspective that emphasizes the innate potential for goodness and growth within every individual.
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Maslow's Theory of Basic Human Needs01:28

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Maslow's hierarchy is described with the help of a pyramidal shape. The most fundamental needs, physiological needs, are at the bottom of the pyramid.
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The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison02:57

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According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
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Understanding the Self01:28

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The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the...
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Need for Self-Esteem01:27

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The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
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Evolutionary Psychology01:20

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Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...
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Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
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On the search for meaning.

P E Lacocque1

  • 1Southeast Mental Health Center (Board of Health), Chicago, Illinois.

Journal of Religion and Health
|December 7, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Discovering life's purpose is key to distinguishing healthy from pathological life meanings. Recognizing life as a borrowed, temporal loan guides toward positive existential mental health.

Area of Science:

  • Existential Psychology
  • Philosophy of Life
  • Mental Health Studies

Background:

  • Differentiating healthy from pathological life meanings is a complex psychological challenge.
  • Existing frameworks may not adequately address the foundational role of life's purpose.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate heuristic methods for distinguishing healthy from pathological life meanings.
  • To establish the detection of life's purpose as a prerequisite for this differentiation.
  • To explore the existential implications of life's origin and finite nature.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis and philosophical argumentation.
  • Examination of the dual realities of life's reception (parental union) and return (death).
  • Heuristic approach to identifying existential drivers of mental health.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

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Main Results:

  • Life's ultimate lack of ownership, due to its received and temporal nature, is identified as crucial.
  • Life is conceptualized as a loan to be returned through death.
  • These two realities (reception and return) are proposed to inform existence and promote healthy growth.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding life as a loan is fundamental for discerning healthy versus pathological life meanings.
  • This perspective provides a framework for positive existential mental health.
  • The recognition of life's borrowed nature guides individuals toward a healthier existential outlook.