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Future Directions for Purpose Research

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Purpose in Life

Abstract

Psychologists have only relatively recently recognized the importance of purpose in optimal human functioning. Accordingly, research on the construct is still relatively new, and significant gaps remain. For example, more longitudinal work is needed to begin to build causal models and to gain a fuller understanding of the way purpose functions over time. Additionally, new measures, especially survey measures of purpose, are needed to more quickly and easily assess all dimensions of the complex construct. Studies aimed at learning more about the prevalence and forms of immoral or ignoble purposes are also warranted, and given that purpose has turned out to be a significant predictor of psychological well-being, it is important to empirically examine effective ways of fostering the construct. Lastly, the vast majority of the research on purpose has taken place in Western cultures. Cultural and cross-cultural studies of purpose are needed to gain a fuller understanding of cultural variations in the development and prevalence of the construct. This chapter outlines these and other areas where additional research on purpose is needed.

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  1. Ball State University, Muncie, USA

    Kendall Cotton Bronk

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  1. Kendall Cotton Bronk
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Correspondence to Kendall Cotton Bronk .

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Bronk, K.C. (2014). Future Directions for Purpose Research. In: Purpose in Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7491-9_9

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