Back to the basics in attachment to God: Revisiting theory in light of theology

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen H. Miner
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Spiritual Development ◽  
Spiritual Maturity ◽  
Attachment To God ◽  
Trinitarian Theology ◽  
Christian Community ◽  
Developmental Models ◽  
Attributes Of God ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Theological Argument

This article argues that contemporary theories of attachment to God lack a clear and coherent theological basis. The absence of theological argument weakens attachment theory as applied to relationships with God on three main grounds. First, cognitive social models easily slip into reductionism. Second, these models fail to consider fully the attributes of God to whom the individual attaches. Third, these models overlook that relationships with God and humans could include inter-subjectivity. Trinitarian theology as proposed by Colin Gunton is discussed and its usefulness for attachment theory examined. It is argued that models of attachment to God based in trinitarian theology can provide a coherent account of the origins of human relationship with God and of human inter-subjectivity. They can also suggest reasons for the existence of compensatory motivation, offer developmental models of spiritual maturity and draw attention to the importance of relationships with the Christian community for spiritual development.

The Goodness of Home

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Marandiuc
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
The Self ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Divine Love ◽  
Modern Life ◽  
Middle Term ◽  
Human Love ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Theological Argument

The question of what home means and how it relates to subjectivity has fresh urgency in light of pervasive contemporary migration, which ruptures the human self, and painful relational poverty, which characterizes much of modern life. Yet the Augustinian heritage that situates true home and right attachment outside this world has clouded theological conceptualizations of earthly belonging. This book engages this neglected topic and argues for the goodness of home, which it construes relationally rather than spatially. In dialogue with research in the neuroscience of attachment theory and contemporary constructions of the self, the book advances a theological argument for the function of love attachments as sources of subjectivity and enablers of human freedom. The book shows that paradoxically the depth of human belonging—thus, dependence—is directly proportional to the strength of human agency—hence, independence. Building on Søren Kierkegaard’s imagery alongside other sources, the book depicts human love as interwoven with the infinite streams of divine love, forming a sacramental site for God’s presence, and playing a constitutive role in the making of the self. The book portrays the self both as gifted from God in inchoate form and as engaged in continuous, albeit nonlinear becoming via experiences of human love. The Holy Spirit indwells the attachment space between human beings as a middle term preventing its implosion or dissolution and conferring a stability that befits the concept of home. The interstitial space between loving human persons subsists both anthropologically and pneumatologically and generates the self’s home.

Comprehensive assessment of the citizen wellbeing in the territory of residence: taking into account the changing influence of indicators economic security

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-502
Author(s):  
Alexsandr Kuklin ◽  
Sergey Okhotnikov
Keyword(s):  
Spiritual Development ◽  
Diagnostic Technique ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Degree Of Satisfaction ◽  
Current Assessment ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual

The article considers a generalizing characteristic of the citizen's wellbeing in the territory of residence, assesses indicators based on statistical data, and makes adjustments due to safety indicators. The author's diagnostic technique was used, which includes corrective indicators. For this purpose, the method of express diagnostics was applied, which made it possible to select the 8 most significant from 12 modules and 43 indicators of economic security. The rate of change of each of the 8 indicators was taken into account, which made it possible to determine the changes in these indicators and the predisposition to one degree or another of the socio-economic crisis. A change in the trend of an indicator can lead to the opposite effect at the expense of other main influencing indexes. This takes into account the borderline state of the indicator, namely, its rate of growth or decline and predisposition to a particular crisis zone. The turning zones of the trend of changes in indicators have been determined. The object of the research is the well-being of the individual in the territory of residence for each subject of the Ural Federal District. The authors made an attempt to consider in the analysis not just the population of the subject (the number of people), but also to assess the personality from the standpoint of moral development, the level of education, the available opportunities for spiritual development, the provision of benefits necessary to maintain life and the degree of satisfaction of the needs of the population. This will allow to carry out the current analysis of the state, but also to consider the forecast dynamics of change for the next 2 to 3 years. The results obtained can be used in the current assessment of the socio-economic situation in the regions of Russia, as well as in planning and forecasting individual indicators of individual citizen wellbeing in the territory of residence

Attachment Theory and Brief Psychotherapy: Applying Current Research to Clinical Interventions

1989 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm West ◽  
Adreenne Sheldon ◽  
Linda Redtfer
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Brief Psychotherapy ◽  
Attachment Figure ◽  
Attachment Relationships ◽  
Attachment Research ◽  
Representational Model ◽  
The Individual

Recent advances in attachment research provide a framework for defining the content and process of brief psychotherapy with adults. Attachment theory emphasizes a number of issues crucial to therapeutic work. Specifically, attachment relationships are enduring components of a individual's pattern of interpersonal behaviours. Functionally, attachment relationships address security needs. Insecure attachment arises from a representational model based on feared loss of the attachment figure, which predisposes the individual to have little confidence in the attachment figure's availability, responsiveness, and permanence. Behavioural responses to insecure attachment can lead to specific patterns of interpersonal relationships which, in turn, strengthen the representational model. Thus, a relatively stable, self-reinforcing system evolves and results in a consistent inability to experience security within attachment relationships. In this article, the authors describe the current framework for understanding adult attachment relationships and present clinical vignettes illustrating the saliency of attachment theory to common clinical presentations. The goal of the clinical intervention is defined as increasing the “permeability” of the individual's working model of attachment through affective and cognitive re-assessment of attachment experiences and expectations. Finally, the utility of this approach in evaluating the outcome and effectiveness of psychotherapy is highlighted.

scholarly journals Geloofsvolwassenheid en Christelike spiritualiteit binne die knyptang van prestasiedruk tydens vroegbejaardheid

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.J. Louw
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Spiritual Maturity ◽  
Christian Spirituality ◽  
Developmental Models ◽  
Related Research ◽  
Performance Pressure ◽  
The Sublime ◽  
Life Issues

Spiritual maturity and Christian spirituality within the crush between performance pressure and adjustment to early pre-elderliness In this article it is argued that a developmental understanding of the different stages of life is appropriate for a pastoral hermeneutical approach. In order to link spiritual maturity to life issues, both J. Fowler’s and E.H. Erikson’s developmental models are discussed. However, little attention has been given in existing subject-related research to the “in-between stage”: between performance and preparation for retirement. In order to focus a pastoral hermeneutics on the unique needs this phase has for Christian spirituality, it is argued that an understanding of the Biblical notion of parrhēsia can play a decisive role in helping people to discover continuity and courage “to be in order” and to cope with the eventual demands of old age. For this purpose a new aesthetics should be rediscovered: the existence of the sublime within the ridiculous. (The paradox of hope and beauty despite fraity and disfigurement.)

scholarly journals Beyond artificial intelligence: exploring artificial wisdom

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 993-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilip V. Jeste ◽  
Sarah A. Graham ◽  
Tanya T. Nguyen ◽  
Colin A. Depp ◽  
Ellen E. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Human Intelligence ◽  
Developmental Models ◽  
Ethical Behaviors ◽  
Computer Scientists ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Artificial Wisdom ◽  
Health Experts

ABSTRACTBackground:The ultimate goal of artificial intelligence (AI) is to develop technologies that are best able to serve humanity. This will require advancements that go beyond the basic components of general intelligence. The term “intelligence” does not best represent the technological needs of advancing society, because it is “wisdom”, rather than intelligence, that is associated with greater well-being, happiness, health, and perhaps even longevity of the individual and the society. Thus, the future need in technology is for artificial wisdom (AW).Methods:We examine the constructs of human intelligence and human wisdom in terms of their basic components, neurobiology, and relationship to aging, based on published empirical literature. We review the development of AI as inspired and driven by the model of human intelligence, and consider possible governing principles for AW that would enable humans to develop computers which can operationally utilize wise principles and result in wise acts. We review relevant examples of current efforts to develop such wise technologies.Results:AW systems will be based on developmental models of the neurobiology of human wisdom. These AW systems need to be able to a) learn from experience and self-correct; b) exhibit compassionate, unbiased, and ethical behaviors; and c) discern human emotions and help the human users to regulate their emotions and make wise decisions.Conclusions:A close collaboration among computer scientists, neuroscientists, mental health experts, and ethicists is necessary for developing AW technologies, which will emulate the qualities of wise humans and thus serve the greatest benefit to humanity. Just as human intelligence and AI have helped further the understanding and usefulness of each other, human wisdom and AW can aid in promoting each other’s growth

Developmental Models and Early Experience

1986 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Early Experience ◽  
Behavioral Development ◽  
Mechanistic Models ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Relative Power ◽  
Developmental Models ◽  
Models Of Development ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Developmental Norms

This paper attempts to describe links between the transactional or dialectical and the mechanistic models of development and to provide a rationale for why both types are useful. Examples of data sets, deriving principally from the early experience literature, are provided which conform to both, and it is concluded that the applicability of the model for describing behavioral development is strongly influenced by where the individual stands on three empirical dimensions: (1) the relative power of the environments that the individual is exposed to; (2) the plasticity of the individual's behavior; and (3) the deviation of the individual from developmental norms. These factors crucially affect the degree of reciprocity found in organism-environment interactions, and the results suggest that differences between developmental models are reconcilable.

The Bible and the Reader's Response

2003 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Pike
Keyword(s):  
Reader Response ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Spiritual Development ◽  
Literary Work ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
Reader Response Theory ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
The Individual

Reader response theory, the broad range of literary perspectives which place emphasis upon the role of readers and their responses to texts, has contributed important insights to biblical hermeneutics and to pedagogy in literature education. Yet reader response theory does not appear, as yet, to have had as significant an influence as it might upon the way we teach individuals to read and respond to that most important of texts, the Bible. It is proposed in this article that Rosenblatt's transactional theory of the literary work offers valuable insights that can be applied to both the reading of the Bible and also how it can be taught in a range of contexts, in Christian and state schools, as well as in churches. Consequently, pedagogy informed by Rosenblatt's reader response theory may offer us a biblical use of the Bible as it can foster the spiritual development of readers by enabling them to engage with Scripture at a deeply personal level. It is suggested that Bible teaching must be responsive to the individual and to society but must, most of all, be responsive to the Holy Spirit.

Metaphysical Beliefs as Predictors of Death Anxiety

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Naidu ◽  
Ambalika Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Death Anxiety ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Attributes Of God ◽  
Low Exposure ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

The impact of four metaphysical beliefs on death anxiety was investigated. Beliefs about the existence and attributes of God, afterlife, and consequences of suffering were chosen for study. It was hypothesized that any belief which assures the individual a continued existence beyond death would reduce the degree of anxiety felt on encountering death-related stimuli. A test including pictures depicting death and non-death scenes was constructed to measure death anxiety. The sample included 120 householders (60 heads of unsettled and 60 heads of settled families). Half of them lived in high exposure to death sight areas and the other half lived in low exposure areas. Subjects from only low exposure areas revealed significant relationships between beliefs and death anxiety. The results of this study suggest that the beliefs play functional roles that are different for people with different needs.

scholarly journals Multicultural Education From the Position of a Dialogue Approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-36
Author(s):  
Karine Yurevna Breshkovskaya ◽  
Nina Sergeevna Ezhkova
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Spiritual Development ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Scientific Analysis ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Methodological Aspects ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Methodological Component

The article presents a scientific analysis of the problem of multicultural education. The dialogue approach as a methodological component of modern multicultural education, based on the position of the dialogue of cultures and cultural pluralism is characterized in the article. The concept of "dialogue" is characterized as the basis for interaction, support for the subjective position of the individual, its spiritual development in the educational process, and a way to unite different cultures. Cultural identity is highlighted as a favorable factor for introducing children to the world of culture and assimilating the values of other cultures; the relationship between cultural identity and cultural diversity is revealed, as well as the possibility of using such unity in building technologies of modern multicultural education. The methodological aspects of multicultural education of preschoolers: the process of developing values in preschoolers is creation of a multicultural educational environment. The author identifies the levels of development of value concepts in preschoolers: cognitive, evaluative, and activity. The author gives a meaningful description of pedagogical work with children at each selected level, describes the leading positions that should be used in the development of children's ideas about people of other nationalities. Methods. During the study, the authors carried out a theoretical analysis of the literature on the problem. It is concluded that in the process of implementing the principle of dialogics in multicultural education, children are prepared to understand another culture, to recognize the surrounding diversity.

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