Learning outcomes Goals
After studying the theme on goals, including both the lecture (including research presented in the
lecture) and the readings, students should be able to discuss:
1. Regarding ‘meaning in life’
Life Meaning:
1. Purpose, comprehension, mattering
2. Why it matters:
a. Passion (subjective)
b. Larger than oneself (objective)
a. The elements involved in defining ‘meaning in life’ (by psychologists and philosophers)
Purpose Definition = a cognitive process that defines life goals n provides personal meaning
1. Central, self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals, manages behaviors, n provides
meaning
2. Guides the use of finite personal resources
3. Source of meaning through goal pursuit n goal attainment
Dimensions of Purpose:
1. Scope = how present the purpose is in one’s life
a. Dictates the extent to which the purpose influences action under different
contexts n conditions
2. Strength = tendency for the purpose to influence actions, thoughts, n emotions relevant
to its scope
3. Awareness = extent to which one is aware n can articulate their purpose
a. Provides related, context-sensitive, behavioral tendencies
b. Influences behavioral flexibility n efficient resource-allocation
- Essential Elements of Purpose:
1. It stimulates behavioral consistency
a. Motivating force to overcome obstacles, seek alternative means, n maintain
focus on goal
2. It generates approach-oriented motivated behaviors
3. It stimulates psych flexibility
a. Posttraumatic growth n resilience
4. It fosters efficient resource allocation
a. Leads to productive cognitive n behavioral activity
5. It involves higher level cognitive processing
b. Theory and research regarding how the different elements mentioned in the definitions may be
inversely related to psychopathology both in general and in specific disorders
After studying the theme on goals, including both the lecture (including research presented in the
lecture) and the readings, students should be able to discuss:
1. Regarding ‘meaning in life’
Life Meaning:
1. Purpose, comprehension, mattering
2. Why it matters:
a. Passion (subjective)
b. Larger than oneself (objective)
a. The elements involved in defining ‘meaning in life’ (by psychologists and philosophers)
Purpose Definition = a cognitive process that defines life goals n provides personal meaning
1. Central, self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals, manages behaviors, n provides
meaning
2. Guides the use of finite personal resources
3. Source of meaning through goal pursuit n goal attainment
Dimensions of Purpose:
1. Scope = how present the purpose is in one’s life
a. Dictates the extent to which the purpose influences action under different
contexts n conditions
2. Strength = tendency for the purpose to influence actions, thoughts, n emotions relevant
to its scope
3. Awareness = extent to which one is aware n can articulate their purpose
a. Provides related, context-sensitive, behavioral tendencies
b. Influences behavioral flexibility n efficient resource-allocation
- Essential Elements of Purpose:
1. It stimulates behavioral consistency
a. Motivating force to overcome obstacles, seek alternative means, n maintain
focus on goal
2. It generates approach-oriented motivated behaviors
3. It stimulates psych flexibility
a. Posttraumatic growth n resilience
4. It fosters efficient resource allocation
a. Leads to productive cognitive n behavioral activity
5. It involves higher level cognitive processing
b. Theory and research regarding how the different elements mentioned in the definitions may be
inversely related to psychopathology both in general and in specific disorders
