The Hero Organism: Advancing The Embodiment Of Heroism Thesis In The Twenty-First Century, Olivia Efthimiou
Dec 2016
The Hero Organism: Advancing The Embodiment Of Heroism Thesis In The Twenty-First Century, Olivia Efthimiou
Scott T. Allison
Heroic accounts have captured the human imagination throughout history. In postmodern times the academic community has witnessed a resurgence in the intellectual and empirical pursuit of the concept of heroism—the advent of the multiple disciplinary field of heroism science signals the end of the monopoly of myth, fiction and popular culture on the study of heroism, offering a multi-perspective lens for the active and rigorous observation of this enduring phenomenon. Research efforts to date, however, have largely focused on its psychosocial aspects, without addressing the interaction with and relationship to the body in sufficient depth. This chapter aims to contribute …
The Hero's Transformation, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals
Dec 2016
The Hero's Transformation, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals
Scott T. Allison
In this chapter, we provide an analysis of human transformation in heroic storytelling and in the lives of everyday people. We describe what a transformation is, why it is important, what causes it to happen, and how it varies from hero to hero. We argue that the hero’s transformation is the most central yet most overlooked component of the monomyth of the hero as described by Joseph Campbell (1949) in his classic volume, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Our chapter discusses the ways in which the hero’s journey parallels various stages of healthy human development, during which people …
Attributes And Applications Of Heroes: A Brief History Of Lay And Academic Perspectives, Elaine Kinsella, Timothy D. Ritchie, Eric Igou
Dec 2016
Attributes And Applications Of Heroes: A Brief History Of Lay And Academic Perspectives, Elaine Kinsella, Timothy D. Ritchie, Eric Igou
Scott T. Allison
We briefly summarize the existing research on heroism with particular focus on the audience for heroes, and their perception of hero characteristics and influence. A new model, the hero functions framework (Kinsella, Ritchie, & Igou, 2015a), is presented and the three categories of psychological functions that heroes seem to fulfill for others are discussed. We outline three areas that we believe should be prioritized when planning future research. We then provide examples of how to use citizen heroes as a tool for positive change in health, well-being, rehabilitation, and education contexts.
Heroism Science: Frameworks For An Emerging Field, Olivia Efthimiou, Scott T. Allison
Dec 2016
Heroism Science: Frameworks For An Emerging Field, Olivia Efthimiou, Scott T. Allison
Scott T. Allison
This article outlines the conceptual framework for a new science focused on heroism using multiple perspectives to generate a science that is explicitly in service to humanity. The role of heroism as a case study for deviant interdisciplinarity, heroism science as storytelling and story revising, and its impacts for research and communities are considered. The primary concern of the deviant agenda of heroism science is the unity of knowledge and the testability of narrative-driven scientific inquiry. In this agenda, science as “episteme” and heroism are unified in their core epistemic function. Heroism science is posited as a prime candidate for …
