Transcendence and Mature Thought in Adulthood [Hardcover]

Melvin E. Miller (Author), Susanne R. Cook-Greuter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0847679187 | ISBN-13: 978-0847679188

This book is one of the very first to concentrate upon positive growth and development in the more advanced years of life. Incorporating both traditional Western paths of development and Eastern, meditative approaches, and both theoretical and empirical material, the contributors explore the many paths to postformal and postconventional development. They challenge the field of psychology to reconsider some of its most fundamental premises concerning how people change and develop over the course of their lives, including many of its conventional metaphysical and ontological assumptions; and they challenge the reader to actively continue his or her own growth process.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Transcendence and Mature Thought in Adulthood takes developmental stage theory beyond the highest levels conceived by theorists such as Piaget, Kohlberg, and Loevinger . . . The book . . . is on the cutting edge of developmental inquiry into the highest of human possibilities. (Michael Washburn )

The most sustained and sophisticated conversation between constructive-developmental and transpersonal psychologies available in print. The result is a wonderfully demanding and rewarding collection of chapters beyond the cutting edge! (Robert Kegan )

About the Author

Melvin E. Miller is Associate Professor of Psychology at Norwich University, a past President of the New England Psychological Association, and editor of Higher Stages of Human Development

Suzanne R. Cook-Greuter is a doctoral student in the Department of Human Development at Harvard University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (April 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847679187
• ISBN-13: 978-0847679188
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #867,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adult Development Beyond Maslow and Kohlberg, August 10, 2006

By 

Sachet (Dr. Fontaine Moore) (Easton, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transcendence and Mature Thought in Adulthood (Hardcover)

Discovering this anthology of articles on transcendent, also known as "transpersonal" adult development was a godsend. Although over 10 years old, the individual contributions in this book are still timely and relevant.

The book examines adult development beyond levels described by Maslow's via self-actualization and Kohlberg's moral development through a scientific lens. This enables the book to avoid epithets of being "new agey" but also puts it in the realm of serious scholarship not intended for a general lay audience. It is especially useful for professionals who work with adults in an educational or psychological capacity.

While the book addresses both Eastern and Western approaches to development, it doesn't differentiate between male and female development, particularly in dealing with the biases often leveled at Kohlberg's model. This perspective is the only one I found obviously missing.

The books serves as an excellent reference for those investigating the higher levels of adult development from a variety of social science perspectives.