Dr Johan Ferreira, Psychologist at Wholeness @ Mosaiek writes on the possible meeting of the fields of Psychology and Theology in 2011.

Dr Johan Ferreira, Sielkundige by Wholeness @ Mosaiek skryf oor die moontlike ontmoetingsveld van Sielkunde en Teologie on 2011.

 

During twenty years of therapeutic work I have become increasingly aware of the desperate need of most clients to acquire a positive, functional and integrated psychological and spiritual map for their lives.  It was during this personal process of searching for the more positive elements and emotions in psychology that I became interested in the topic of wisdom as an executive function in personality style and the relevance thereof for the spiritual components in the lives of clients.

 

The following statement by Jung (1976:156) directed my psychological focus towards the Bible:

 

"We must read the Bible or we shall not understand psychology.  Our psychology, whole lives, our language and imagery are built upon the Bible".

 

The importance of the interface between psychology and religion is stated by Wulff (1991:16):

 

"No other human preoccupation challenges psychologists as profoundly as religion.  Whether or not they profess to be religious themselves – and many do not – psychologists must take religion into account if they are to understand and help their fellow human beings". 

 

 As the need for a greater understanding of the religious and spiritual needs of clients becomes clear, the psychologist in practice will have to develop a greater respect, and use more effectively, the spiritual resources of the client.  Spirituality has been defined within religious and ecclesiastical contexts or with regard to issues pertaining to the soul (Fowers et al., 2010:139; De Vries-Schot et al., 2008:90; Galek et al., 2007:375; Gray, 2006:58; Gall & Grant, 2005:515; Doherty, 2003:181-182; Gall, 2003:223; Unterberger, 2003:161; Watts, 2002:2-3; Daaleman et al., 2001:1503-1504; Graham et al., 2001:2; Jason et al., 2001:585; Koenig et al., 2001:4-6; Sheldon & King, 2001:216; Fisher et al., 2000:133; Collins, 2000:110-111; Richards & Bergin, 2000:4; Hood et al., 1996:23-25; Loewenthal, 1995:161; Tyrrell, 1985:62-63). Recent studies focus much wider, incorporating many more aspects of human life, indicating that human life is made up of good characteristics within people and of excellence of virtue within relationships. Professional organizations have openly acknowledged that religion and spirituality must be respected by professionals in the field, in order for religious clients to trust their psychologists in terms of their spiritual beliefs. A greater number of clients are bringing their spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic context because they view spirituality as a resource that influences their lives, and health care professionals should therefore be able to evaluate spiritual and religious beliefs effectively.  There is a large body of empirical research that proves the positive relation of religious and spiritual factors to emotional well-being and encourages psychologists to take up a more open and constructive perception regarding human potentials, motives and capacities.

 

Positive emotions have become the centre of attention in the expanding field of positive psychology, with researchers turning their focus on increasing awareness of the long-term effects of positive emotions.  Positive emotions feel good in the present, but increase the possibilities of feeling good in the future (Diener & Ryan, 2009:395; Lambert et al., 2009:32, 40; Landis et al., 2009:71; Bryant, 2003: 175; Fredrickson & Joiner , 2002:172; Watson, 2002:106-107; Fredrickson et al., 2000:255-256).  According to Kim-Prieto and Diener (2009:448) religion can provide guidelines for emotions, such as the experience of the specific emotion and its intensity. In order to maintain a balanced integration of psychology and theology, Beck (2003:27), Watts (2002:137) and Collins (2000:107) are of the opinion that scholars and researchers should be able to master psychological text and content to the degree that they can differentiate between valid research findings and mere popular inclinations in order to interact with their biblical worldview.  Only then will psychology and theology work successfully alongside each other as valid resources in counselling.

 

During the last few decades, as the need for wisdom increased in society, the topic of wisdom has been expanded from the province of philosophy to a wider, more general range of interdisciplinary research fields (Kok, 2009:53; Mick et al., 2009:99-100; Takahashi & Overton, 2005:33;Glück et al., 2005:197; Baltes & Kunzmann, 2004:290; Watts et al., 2002:288-289;Sternberg, 1990:13).  Allport (1966:456-457) concluded that a meeting of the minds within the fields of theology, sociology and psychology could lead to collaboration between behavioural and religious disciplines.  Bergin (1991:396) found that therapists were more religious that he expected them to be.  His deduction was that these professionals showed an unexpected investment in religion.  Forty years after Allport came to these conclusions, Collicutt McGrath (2006:292) discussed the early development of Christianity from a social-psychological perspective.  She uses the positive psychology model of wisdom to provide an outline for understanding the progress of Christianity as an illustration of growth through challenges of life.  Koenig et al. (2001:53) state and Byron and Miller-Perrin (2009: 68) determine in their current research findings that the presence of faith in a person's life will predict well-being significantly and Benson and Scales (2009:86) highlight that significant progress has been made in discussing, naming and measuring positive developmental experiences and outcomes in the last five years so that religion can be successfully and validly integrated into the clinical and counselling practice. 

  

According to Abdel-Khalek and Naceur (2007:159-160), Bosworth et al. (2003:911), Collins (2000:104), Pargament (1997:3), Wulff (1996:43) and Hood et al. (1996:2-3) an increasing number of publications regarding the psychology of religion focus on the positive and negative associations between religion and emotion.  In the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-VI) (1994) the category 'Religious or spiritual problem', code V62.89, was added to accommodate religious and spiritual issues in the social and personal lives of people. Tan (2006:69) points out that the field of positive psychology actually overlaps with much of what has been researched in the fields of psychology of religion for many years.  Baumeister and Exline (1999:1189) conclude that research in psychology has aimed to be value-free in its pursuit of scientific idealism and that this may have restricted the study of virtue.  Koenig (2009:283-284), Galek et al. (2007:363-364) and Harris et al. (2007:4) are of the opinion that spirituality is increasingly recognized as a significant cultural and coping factor that may affect counselling relationships, processes and outcomes, and Van Rooyen and Beukes (2009:26) and Butler and Pargament (2003:175) point out that historically religion and psychology have been (artificially) separated by some practitioners.

 

Wisdom

 

Wisdom research has been a focus area in the behavioural sciences for the last two decades, but still a definition has not been formulated.  What seems to be agreed upon by researchers is that wisdom is a multifaceted and multidimensional concept where these concepts have an influence on each other and is seen as a desired objective of development (Kok, 2009:53-55; Baltes & Kunzmann, 2004:290-292; Ardelt, 2004:257; Bluck & Glück, 2004:545, 569; Ardelt, 2003:277; Baltes & Kunzmann, 2003:131; Staudinger & Leipold, 2003:171; Pasupathi & Staudinger, 2001:410; Baltes & Staudinger, 2000:122-123; Powlison, 2000:210; Sternberg, 1990:6-7; Staudinger et al., 1989:2). 

 

Wisdom is seen as the search for human excellence and has been defined within various philosophical and theoretical frameworks as incorporating the following aspects:

 

• an outline of superior cognitive functioning;
• proficiency in the conduct and meaning of life;
• the art of questioning;
• the awareness of ignorance;
• the growth of intrapersonal, interpersonal and transpersonal experiences in the areas of personality, cognition and conation;
• the development of wisdom over a lifetime

 

Wisdom can be defined as 'the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience and understanding'. (Webster's New World dictionary, 1997:1533).

 

Zimmerli maintained early in his research of literature that wisdom has always been central to the effort of mastering life (cf. Perdue, 1994:35 & 36).  Referring to wisdom as 'the art of steering', Zimmerli, Bluck and Glück (2004:545), Baltes and Staudinger (2000:122) and Sternberg (1990:30) suggest that the purpose of the wise person is to master life by the process of coming to awareness of the world, and relating that knowledge to any and all situations in life.  Therefore wisdom is considered to be a well-balanced management of cognition, motivation and emotion that can lead to the person having a meaningful life (King & Hicks, 2009:317; Mick et al., 2009:99; Moser, 2009:2; Staudinger & Leipold, 2003:178, Staudinger & Pasupathi, 2003:242; Sternberg, 1990:299).  Deane-Drummond (2007:589) comments that practical wisdom is related to how people live their lives on a daily basis.

 

Day-to-day living occurs within the context of society and relationships with other people.  Glück et al. (2005:198), Ardelt (2004:260), Baltes and Staudinger (2000:122), Baltes and Kunzmann (2004:290) and Sternberg (1990:286) argue that wisdom cannot exist independently from individuals and that wisdom is distributed within a society by the connectivity between the minds of people. This means that humans are active beings who need to seek out their place in God's world, to order their reality, and to ultimately master life.  This process is a feature of human behaviour observed in primary cultural traditions.  

 

Authors are of the opinion that in the early wisdom tradition wisdom is focussed on finding practical results for the individual who applies wisdom principles. Mick et al. (2009:99), Sternberg (2007:145), Staudinger and Leopold(2003:179), Weeks (1994:58), Sternberg (1990:285-287) state that wisdom-related performance can be motivated by practical, measurable results.  Von Rad is of the opinion that wisdom also attempts to assist man in shaping his position and standing in the world by applying positive character traits such as maturity, judgment and interpersonal skills (Ardelt, 2003:276, Weeks, 1994:58; Sternberg, 1990:266).  Wisdom is further considered by Reiterer et al. (2005:259) as having a distinctive grasp of God's will and being able to pass it on to those who have a need for development of wisdom within their lives.

 

According to Powlison (2000:210, 222) and Perdue (1994:36) much of the Old Testament, and especially the wisdom literature, acknowledge the value of the quality of human life and place a high premium on the well-being of humankind.  Wisdom emphasizes autonomy and the responsibility in people to create a social and individual future for them under the prompt of God's instruction.  Wisdom is seen as the link between the individual and the specific situation that requires a wise choice.  This knowledge can be used effectively in counselling, but is often not fully explored. Biblical wisdom is complex and vast, and it is often unclear what exactly constitutes wisdom (Park, 2009:462; Sternberg & Jordan, 2005: 100-101; Staudinger & Leipold, 2003:174; Pargament, 1997:60-61).

 

Augustine states that if a man's spirit obeys the Spirit of God, there is no emotion to revolt against reason, and order will triumph within.  Therefore wisdom works well with the individual who seeks the peace of God, for 'blessed are the peacemakers' (Mt 5:9). 

 

As the person attains peace, and therefore starts to act in wisdom, he will start to submit to the will of God. 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven' (Mt 6:10). A person who has submitted to the will of God does as the angels do: he stays close to God in every respect, so that his wisdom cannot be compromised (Staudinger & Leipold, 2003:175; Dixon, 2003:46-47; Powlison, 2000:222; Plume & Quasten, 1948:19-20).  The person's will is in line with what God wants for a specific situation, and the peace of God reigns.  'Thy will be done' (Mt 6:11) interpreted correctly means that obedience is so absolute that God's will can be seen in actions, deeds, conduct, behaviour, attitude and approach towards life in general.  The person yields to the will of God, has peace and therefore obtains practical and functional wisdom from the Holy Spirit.  This process can be aided and directed by the Christian therapist and will be influenced by the client's level of emotional and spiritual maturity.

 

Charry (2009:296), Powlison (2000:222) and Ceresko (1999:5, 183) support this view by explaining that wisdom sets out to motivate and educate the individual in the virtues that lead to a God-fearing life.  The person develops into a mature, whole human being, able to love and be loved.  It is, however, of the utmost importance for the therapist and the client to recognize that God is in essence central to all wisdom.

 

Park (2009:462), Branick (2006:75-77) and Meisinger et al. (2006:129) provide some understanding of the definition of wisdom.  They suggest that wisdom functions in such a way as to initiate order into the lives of people.  It comprises qualities such as humility, patience, understanding and forgiveness, and they suggest that wisdom may be defined as a gift from the Holy Spirit.   According to Tan (2006:72) the list of the six virtues and the 24 character strengths as defined by positive psychology come close to the nine-fold fruit of the Holy Spirit, who alone can produce such deep and eternal results in a person.  According to Staudinger and Leipold(2003:180) wisdom may be seen as one of the major strengths within the field of positive psychology.

 

 

Positive psychology

 

The positive psychology movement has opened up the awareness of a positive attitude towards the treatment methods and therapeutic outcomes within mainstream psychology. The roots of positive psychology lie in the Aristotelian frame of reference.  The body of research and theory in positive psychology aim to point out the state of today's conventional psychology, and this is seen as one of the most positive developments in psychology in the last decade (Maddux, 2008:55-56, 66; Froh et al., 2007:29;Wallace & Bergeman, 2007:323; Harvey & Pauwels, 2004:621; Linley & Joseph, 2004:16; Terjesen et al., 2004:163; Bryant, 2003:175; Lopez et al., 2003:4; Snyder & Lopez, 2002:4-5; Miller & Harvey, 2001:314; Fabricatore et al., 2000:221). Traditional psychology has focussed on symptom reduction whereas positive psychology aims at adjusting psychological thought from a pathology-orientated understanding to an outlook of progress and positive development.  The field of positive psychology has presented itself as an integrative research area where dysfunctional patterns of behaviour, cognitions and emotions are seen as problems in living, not as disorders or diseases. Theorists and researchers have adopted a rationale that the ideas of positive psychology are sound.

 

 

Various researchers (Benson & Scales, 2009:86; Wallace & Bergeman, 2007:323; Joseph & Linley, 2005:9; Linley & Joseph, 2004:17; Bryant, 2003:175; Lopez et al., 2003:4-6; Wissing & Van Eeden, 2002:42; Diener, 2000:41; Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000:10) support the attempt to demand from mainstream psychology not to continue the marginalization and elimination of the positive aspects of human nature.  These investigators promote the restoration of positive subjective experience, positive individual traits and civic virtues, traditionally the field of study of researchers in the psychology of religion.  Through their efforts, positive psychology has reclaimed character and virtue as justifiable subject matter in psychological research (Peterson et al., 2007:149; Lewis & Cruise, 2006:213; Rathunde, 2001:136). The role of the positive therapist is to shift from aiding in social adjustment of the client to actively aid in their personal transformation, where the focus is on evaluation of the person's strengths and weaknesses.

 

 

Aim of positive psychology

 

The aim of positive psychology is to facilitate people in a process of modification of behaviour, mood and attitude so that they may realize their personal objectives.  The desired results of positive psychology are happiness and well-being.  Subjective well-being refers to the summation of the person's life contentment.  Positive and negative emotions add up and everyday happiness is experienced or not.  Psychological well-being refers to enjoyment, which is indicated by the engagement with and full involvement in the challenges of life  (Peterson et al., 2008:19; Hitlin, 2007:249; Wallace & Bergeman, 2007:324; Diener et al., 2006:313; Linley et al., 2006:6; Glück et al., 2005:198;Kashdan, 2004:1226; Linley & Joseph, 2004:4-6; Lopez et al., 2003:9-10; Roothman et al., 2003:212; Snyder & Lopez, 2002:284-285; Diener & Lucas, 1999:213-214). The principles of positive psychology can be applied with great success to the individual, to a group, a community and to an organization.  The full array of human functioning is incorporated in this methodology, integrating pathology, full functionality and pre-emptive measures.  The individual affects the society at large and it would seem that psychological well-being can be linked to affective, physical, cognitive, spiritual, self and social processes.

 

The Aristotelian approach to human nature and growth includes the view of a good person, and that the person has the ability to realize his vital nature.  Aristotle states clearly that it is not possible to be good in the stringent sense without practical wisdom (Fowers et al., 2010:139-142; Headey et al., 2010:74; Pasupathi & Staudinger, 2001:401). This view is in conflict with an approach that focuses on failure, pathology, illness and categorization of mental illness.  Positive psychology proposes that human beings have the given potential for positive and constructive character and virtues.

 

Within the positive psychology framework character refers to the complete set of positive traits that have become apparent across cultures and throughout history as imperative for a good life.  Virtues are the foundational characteristics valued by moral philosophers and devout thinkers that contribute to the realization of the human good.  Character strengths are the psychological processes or procedures that characterize or display the virtues (Robbins, 2008:96; Park & Peterson, 2006:893; Kotva, 1996:23)

Positive psychology focuses on limitations and strengths. The aim of the therapeutic process is to aid in the healing of emotional wounds, as well as support in leading people to fulfilment in their lives (Ong et al., 2007:20; Diener, 2006:399-402; Linley et al., 2006:7; Linley & Joseph, 2004:20-24; Lopez et al., 2003:7-8; Snyder & Lopez, 2002:279).  The focus should be on encouraging the potency of the lives of people so that they can be directed and guided towards psychological well-being, facilitating adaptation, growth and fulfilment through the awareness and development of virtues and character strengths.

 

 

Values in Action classification

 

The Values in Action (VIA) classification of strengths was a preliminary measure towards specifying critical positive traits and aims to complement the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association by turning the focus to people's strengths (Kim-Prieto & Diener, 2009:447; van Rooyen & Beukes, 2009:26-27; Peterson et al., 2008:215; Van Eeden & Wissing, 2008:87-88; Linley at al., 2007:342-343; Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, 2006:30; Park et al., 2004b:628; Park et al., 2004a:604; Snyder et al., 2003:35-36; Snyder & Lopez, 2002:18-22). The aim of the classification project is twofold: firstly it provides a consensual vocabulary for talking about positive traits, and secondly it provides a means to measure traits so that a comparative psychology of character strengths could be established.  The focus is on the strengths of the individual and on how these strengths can contribute to an excellent life.  This classification aims to provide additional understanding of psychological strengths.  Spirituality is considered to be one of the traits that encourage positive well-being and the attainment of the 'good life'. 

 

Petersen and Seligman (2004:13-14) developed a list of 24 strengths which they arranged under the six virtues of wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity and love, justice, temperance, transcendence.  The authors suggest that all of these virtues have to be present at above-threshold values for a person to be experienced as of good character and temperament.  According to Peterson et al. (2007:149) this categorization offers the possibility for a comparative psychology of character.  Lopez and Snyder (2003:463-464) asserted that all individuals have psychological strengths and all have the potential to achieve optimal mental health.

 

The character strengths are the psychological components essential for growth (Linley et al., 2007:342-343; Lopez & Snyder, 2003:464;Seligman, 2002:24; Kotva, 1996:17, 23).  These processes of growth and mechanisms define the virtues.  Some of the character strengths they identified are: zest, gratitude, severance, bravery, optimism, gratitude, leadership, fairness, curiosity, open-mindedness, perspective, kindness, loyalty, duty, self-control, caution, bravery.  These identified virtues and character strengths are treated as logically independent of each other. Positive psychology proposes that people identify their signature strengths, and then develop them by following healthy processes that may have human fulfilment as a result, which is measured by a development from the person one is into the person one could be.

 

 

The virtue of wisdom

 

Practical wisdom implies the correct use of reason in day-to-day choices.  A central theme to practical wisdom is ethical judgment (Kok, 2009:54; Sternberg, 2009:10; Werpehowski, 2007:57; Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, 2006:32; Staudinger & Leipold, 2003:173-175; Sternberg, 2003:479-480).  Wisdom can ensure that ideas are ethical and to the universal good of mankind rather than being merely beneficial for the individual. The virtue of wisdom and knowledge, on which this study focuses, needs certain cognitive strengths to function well:

 

1.Creativity in thinking of new and creative ways to do things

2.Curiosity and interest in the world in exploring and discovering the world

3.Judgment and critical thinking in evaluating issues and examining them thoroughly, grasping paradoxes and reconciling contradictions

4.Love of learning in mastering new skills.

5.Ability to provide wise council to others

 

There is the notion that the principles of positive psychology have the potential to lead to transformation of the world.  Seligman is of the opinion that positive psychology as an approach to psychopathology could possibly reduce the incidence of major depression by 50%.  Positive emotions increase people's perception that life is significant (Saroglou et al., 2008:166).  Baltes and Kunzmann' (2003:133) and Staudinger and Leipold (2003:171-172) are of the opinion that wisdom holds great potential as psychologists focus their attention on positivity and distinction in human behaviour. According to Werpehowski (2007:56-57) and Welton (2004:371-372) a person has to find meaning in his life, which will in turn lead to the decrease of psychological tension.  Positive psychology per se will not transform anything, but Christ will surely use positive psychology as He transforms the world.

 

 

Character traits and virtues

 

The current literature in positive psychology seems to be directed at understanding the various traits and virtues and to determine the functionality of these identified variables.  Mazzucchelli et al. (2010:105) and Maddi (2006:226) state that the emphasis is on positive features of performance and health, and that an understanding is required of how these traits and virtues relate to a well-adjusted life where frequent positive emotions and infrequent negative emotions are experienced.  Schwartz and Sharpe (2006:379) and Averill and More (2000:664-666) accept the importance of these virtues and strengths, but believe that the Aristotelian view that virtues and strengths are mutually supporting, should be adhered to.  They are of the opinion that happiness requires all the virtues, and that more of a virtue is not necessarily better than less of a virtue.  They argue that practical wisdom is the 'master' or executive virtue that is essential in solving problems of life. When character strengths have to be translated into action, practical wisdom is required to resolve conflict, to understand specific details and to determine relevance of the demands.

 

Mick et al. (2009:99), Schwartz and Sharpe (2006:377) and Johnson and Jones (2000: 262) state that practical wisdom is becoming increasingly difficult to nurture and display in modern society and that social institutions should be encouraged to make use of practical wisdom in everyday life, where practical wisdom suggests the diversity of behavioural wisdom in everyday life.

 

Peterson and Seligman (2004:13) and Day and Rottinghaus (2003:18-19) acknowledge that a great deal of discussion has arisen regarding the possibility of a master or executive virtue.  They are of the opinion that a specific master virtue will probably be identifiable in certain cultures, within certain individuals and within certain developmental phases.  Powlinson(2000:222) claims that within the Christian mindset wisdom is a connecting element in psychology and theology.

 

Watts et al. (2006:277) have a continued programme of research at the University of Cambridge into topics of forgiveness, hope and gratitude.  They are of the opinion that positive psychology is possibly the link between religion and psychology, as many of the topics addressed in positive psychology have long been fundamental to the philosophy and practice in religious traditions.  The theory and practice of positive psychology have brought a new attention to the examination of topics traditionally seen as religious in nature.  It is aiding people to endorse spiritual practices in the secular milieu.  This view is supported by Powlinson(2000: 222; 262).

 

Positive psychology and religion

 

Joseph et al. (2006:210-211), Koenig (2006:1), Davis et al. (2003:356), Watts et al. (2002:299-300) and Johnson and Jones (2000:13-15) note that the discipline of psychology, with its emphasis on observable and measurable behaviour, has often been regarded as an opposite of religion, with its emphasis on faith.  However, they state that in their opinion that the answers to life's questions provided by both disciplines are quite similar.  They suppose that the movement of positive psychology has served to highlight the similarity.  According to Watts et al. (2002:299) and Richards and Bergin (2000:3) the separation and distancing that has existed between mental health professionals and religion has come to an end.

 

Joseph et al. (2006) evaluated six papers that were representative of the research in positive psychology of religion and spirituality.  Their evaluation of these papers is to further the research into this topic.  They are of the opinion that there is a need to investigate further on the relation between religion and psychology, the compatibility of the disciplines and their relevance and functionality in a therapeutic context.  Emmons and Paloutzian (2003:378) and McCullough et al. (2000:114-115) contend that psychologists should come to an understanding of the psychological bases of religious belief, experience and behaviour, so that this knowledge can be applied for the good of people.

 

According to Van Rooyen and Beukes (2009:32-33) and Taylor (2001:383) the role of religion and spirituality has often been ignored by psychologists as a domain of study. The examination by positive psychology of positive states and temperament highlights the parallel in focus of religion and positive psychology. Beck (2003:28) states that future directions in research should be aimed at training psychologists in an effective and accountable manner so that they can use biblical and theological material in an informed way.  Averbeck (2006:111-114), Watts et al. (2002:299) and Johnson and Jones (2000:262-263) attempt to integrate a biblical theology foundation for psychology by specifying the following goals for Christians working within the field of psychology:

 

 

 

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• Christians should work toward a uniquely Christian understanding of the general field of psychology and counselling that would lead to a therapeutic approach that is increasingly consistent with scripture and Christian belief.