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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Articles 1 - 13 of 13

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Heroism And The Pursuit Of Meaning, Jeff D. Green, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Athena H. Cairo, Nao Hagiwara Dec 2016

Heroism And The Pursuit Of Meaning, Jeff D. Green, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Athena H. Cairo, Nao Hagiwara

Scott T. Allison

We propose that essential components of heroism and heroic actions are embedded in meaning and virtue. That is, our central thesis is that heroes and heroic behavior are intertwined with virtue and with finding meaning or purpose in life. Abraham Lincoln is an archetypal hero. We argue that it was his singular commitment to the cause of reunifying north and south, and finding his life purpose in this cause, that sustained his efforts and forged a hero. Moreover, his virtuous character likely conferred additional meaning to him and elevated his actions to the heroic; his “greatness combined with goodness” was …


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 …


Underdogs As Heroes, Joseph A. Vandello, Nadav Goldschmied, Kenneth Michniewicz Dec 2016

Underdogs As Heroes, Joseph A. Vandello, Nadav Goldschmied, Kenneth Michniewicz

Scott T. Allison

In this chapter, we review theory and research that attempts to unlock the appeal of the under- dog. As we will show, while there is plenty of evidence for the powerful draw of underdogs, there is as of yet no consensus about the cause of this appeal. We will also speculate on the conceptual simi- larities and differences between rooting for underdogs and judging people as heroes.


Career Development And A Sense Of Calling: Contexts For Heroism, Bryan J. Dik, Adelyn B. Shimizu, William O'Connor Dec 2016

Career Development And A Sense Of Calling: Contexts For Heroism, Bryan J. Dik, Adelyn B. Shimizu, William O'Connor

Scott T. Allison

This chapter explores the connection between heroism and career development. In it, we make the case that a person’s career decisions and sense of calling often function to create the context in which heroic acts occur. After a conceptual and theoretical overview, we articulate possible pathways that may influence the connections between heroism and career development, and propose new directions for scholars to explore.


A Conference On The Educational Transformation Of Today’S Emerging Adults Into Tomorrow’S Extraordinary Heroes, Philip G. Zimbardo, Zeno Franco, Scott T. Allison Dec 2016

A Conference On The Educational Transformation Of Today’S Emerging Adults Into Tomorrow’S Extraordinary Heroes, Philip G. Zimbardo, Zeno Franco, Scott T. Allison

Scott T. Allison

We propose hosting a conference devoted to advancing theoretical and applied research in the area of heroism education of emerging adults in high schools and universities. This conference aligns with our mission at the Heroic Imagination Project: To develop and implement research, education, corporate and public initiatives to inspire and encourage everyday heroism. We seek to encourage research on empowering young people to take heroic action during crucial moments in their lives. Our conference will advance our understanding of the science and practice of educating youth to act with integrity, compassion, and moral courage, heightened by an understanding of the …


Leadership And Sexuality, James Beggan, Scott T. Allison Dec 2016

Leadership And Sexuality, James Beggan, Scott T. Allison

Scott T. Allison


What is the relationship between sexuality and leadership? What comes to mind first are vivid instances where individuals, thought to be acting as trusted stewards of their constituents’ best interests, become embroiled in a sex-related scandal. It is not hard to find examples of leaders whose careers and notable accomplishments are tarnished permanently by one revealed indiscretion. Technically, although guilty of marital infidelity, Bill Clinton’s crime with regard to Monica Lewinsky was not the affair but charges of perjury that stemmed from lying about the affair. Of course, he only lied because he knew there would be a scandal if …


The Founding Of Richmond: William Byrd Ii's Heroic Odyssey, Jonathan Anthony Ohlmann Dec 2016

The Founding Of Richmond: William Byrd Ii's Heroic Odyssey, Jonathan Anthony Ohlmann

Scott T. Allison

e goal of this chapter is to shed light on William Byrd II’s unique story and highlight his heroic journey to establishing Richmond. e chapter will take an in depth look at the personal transformation Byrd II under- went upon arriving back in Virginia. I will also describe the profound impact that Byrd II had on society as a whole.


The City Of Richmond, Virginia: A Cultural And Historical Nexus Of Heroism, Scott T. Allison Dec 2016

The City Of Richmond, Virginia: A Cultural And Historical Nexus Of Heroism, Scott T. Allison

Scott T. Allison

Richmond's unique culture and history has rendered it a magnet of heroism. This volume, Heroes of Richmond: Four Centuries of Courage, Dignity, and Virtue, has assembled scholarly contributions about Richmond’s heroic past from a distinguished group of undergraduate students at the University of Richmond.


Heroic Leadership, Scott T. Allison Dec 2016

Heroic Leadership, Scott T. Allison

Scott T. Allison

The world’s most revered leaders have traveled the hero’s journey of personal transformation and, in turn, have used their gifts to transform others. The heroic leader’s journey is the human journey, replete with struggle, growth, learning, transformation, and an ascendency from followership to heroic leadership. Those who dare to transform, or who are compelled to do so by circumstance, grow into fully developed human beings ready, willing, and able to transform others. The transformed hero represents the pinnacle of human maturity, the state of wellbeing that allows people to flourish and experience eudaimonia.


Setting The Scene: The Rise And Coalescence Of Heroism Science, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals, Roderick M. Kramer Dec 2016

Setting The Scene: The Rise And Coalescence Of Heroism Science, Scott T. Allison, George R. Goethals, Roderick M. Kramer

Scott T. Allison

This opening chapter of the Handbook of Heroism and Heroic Leadership offers insights and inspiration about the zenith of human behavior. The contributions to this volume offer a sturdy foundations for the development of a multidisciplinary and even transdisciplinary perspective on the antecedents and consequences of heroic behavior. In aggregate, these chapters chart the landscape of what we currently know about heroism-related phenomena, covering a panoply of  human experiences. The chapters encompass such diverse topics as courage, empathy, resilience, hope, meaning, purpose, spirituality, morality, altruism, character strengths, wisdom, development, regeneration, and transformation.    


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 …