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Transpersonal Psychology As A Scientific Field: Harris Friedman
Transpersonal Psychology As A Scientific Field: Harris Friedman
Harris Friedman
Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center
San Francisco, California, USA
T
R A N S P E R S O N A L P S Y C H O L O G Y has never First, transpersonal psychology was clearly
developed a coherent scientific frame of instituted as a field that was meant to be part of
reference, and despite numerous attempts the larger discipline of scientific psychology. The
to adequately define it (e.g., Lajoie & Shapiro, major founders of transpersonal psychology were
1992; Walsh & Vaughan, 1993), still suffers from clearly invested in extending the rigorous scientific
serious ambiguity regarding its scope and discipline of psychology beyond the conventional
appropriate methodology. As a result, little boundaries of psychoanalytical, behavioral, and
progress in understanding transpersonal humanistic psychology. Their purpose was not to
psychological phenomena from a scientific abandon science, as exemplified by the statement
perspective has occurred since the founding of in the first issue of the major publication which
the field. In this paper, I consider the importance initially launched the field: “The Journal of
of specifying transpersonal psychology as a Transpersonal Psychology is concerned with the
scientific field and propose some strategies to publication of theoretical and applied research,
further its progress as a science. original contributions, empirical papers, articles
and studies in...” (Sutich, 1969, p. 16). Thereafter,
Reasons to Restrict the Field of a number of diverse content areas were listed, but
Transpersonal Psychology to Science clearly a scientific agenda was presented.1
Second, since the discipline of psychology is
The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2002, Vol. 21, 175-187 175
© 2002 by Panigada Press
claim through its name to be part of that scientific the field. I believe that the best hope for lasting
discipline. Likewise, the rewards of scientific solutions to many of the grave problems faced by
status accrue to transpersonal psychology humans, and the earth itself, at this time lies in
through its association with psychology. For psychological rather than technical progress. For
example, professional psychological services are example, although pressures of escalating
provided in a context that is legitimized by overpopulation in third world nations could be
various governments based on the rationale that eased through further attempts toward
scientific standards are being used in such increasing agricultural output, as through
practice. Legitimization entails specific benefits genetically enhanced crops, this type of solution
to practitioners as provided through licensing is likely not to prove sustainable but only to
laws. A practitioner operating outside the postpone overpopulation breaking points.
scientific framework in providing applied services Psychological solutions, such as changing core
offered through a professional psychology license attitudes toward reproduction that are currently
would be perceived as violating this implicit embedded in religious belief systems, are likely
contract. It is well established in law that to be more effective than technical solutions to
psychologists who use approaches that are not these human-based problems. Furthermore, the
scientifically justifiable can be sanctioned for type of psychological solutions required for these
professional discipline such as loss of their crucial problems of contemporary adaptation,
licenses to practice. There may also be civil both human and planetary, cannot be adequately
penalties, enforced through malpractice action, addressed solely through the limited
and even criminal penalties for a licensed conceptualizations offered by mainstream
professional operating in a nonscientific fashion. psychology but require, instead, transpersonal
Furthermore, if nonscientific approaches were to considerations. Only transpersonal psychology
be allowed as a legitimate part of professional allows for innovative avenues in which scientific
practice by applied transpersonal psychologists, approaches can address many of the most
a situation of inequity would be created that pressing problems that threaten our very survival
would discriminate against other practitioners,
as a species and the survival of our planet. And,
such as religious healers, who might use similar
beyond mere deficit motivations, a scientific
nonscientific methods yet not be allowed a
transpersonal psychology is required for the
comparable professional license and its privileges.
optimum development of our human potential.
(Even in academic and scholarly arenas,
To throw away the unique promise offered by
transpersonal psychologists enjoy benefits due to
transpersonal psychology through rejecting the
their attributed scientific status, such as in
proper role of science in the field would be not
receiving greater public acceptance as
only irresponsible but tragic.
authoritative experts.) Consequently, I argue that
In summary, based on the historic roots of the
to allow practices that are not scientifically based
field, the ethical and legal implications of its
within the field of transpersonal psychology is
neither legally nor ethically defensible. connection with the discipline of scientific
Third, and most importantly, I consider the psychology, and the importance of the field for
development of a scientific transpersonal human survival and betterment, transpersonal
psychology crucial for human survival and the psychology should be bound to a scientific
betterment of life. Relegating the field to the commitment. Those who wish to abandon scientific
collection and reportage of unscientific folk approaches to pursue their transpersonal work
traditions presented in a journalistic fashion should be unfettered as long as they use a broader
would at best be superfluous since such sources term, such as transpersonal studies, to describe
are abundant and have little likelihood of their work. But those who elect to associate their
helping humanity in any progressive way. If the work with the field of transpersonal psychology
field is used to promulgate any specific religious need to be aware of the implications of their
or spiritual folk traditions, under a falsely choice. In particular, those who disseminate their
assumed scientific label, the deception could be own religious or spiritual beliefs through their
damaging in many ways, including the possibility professional work should not present themselves
of undermining further scientific development of as transpersonal psychologists.
H AV I N G A D V O C AT E D that transpersonal
psychology be restricted to the realm of
science, I will focus the discussion now on directly
can lucratively be used to sell questionable
transpersonal works—witness the numerous
ludicrous books and seminars marketed to a naive
confronting the positions of those who are hostile public. It seems that including the terms spirit
to the possibility of a scientific transpersonal or soul in such work increases its marketability.
psychology. For simplicity, three opposing Responsible transpersonal psychologists need
positions that I label as romanticism, scientism, to consistently and rigorously examine the
and constructionism will be explored. appropriateness of including extreme romanticism
The view identified with romanticism poses the within the field: For example, should astrology be
greatest current threat to the development of a included in transpersonal psychology? Even
scientific transpersonal psychology since so many though systems of astrology are filled with
people of this persuasion are attracted to the field. nonscientific assumptions and fail to demonstrate
The romantic movement has long opposed the any consistent evidence of validity, numerous so-
scientific approach in all spheres. Most advocates called professionals openly promote this folk
of romanticism seem to cast doubt upon both the system in their teachings, writings, and even
value and possibility of a scientifically based professional practice. I strongly advocate that
transpersonal psychology by offering broad scientific studies on astrology, such as exploring
critiques such as that science is inherently the antecedents and consequences of belief in
reductionistic or deterministic. To be fair, some astrology, are appropriate material for a scientific
who are less extreme argue cogently that the transpersonal psychology. Likewise, it is
approach of romanticism provides initial ways to appropriate to continue to scientifically explore the
explore important realms that are not yet validity of systems of astrology, although I think
amenable to scientific approaches, such as “poetic, that the lack of evidence thus far is such that
intuitive, and visionary states” (Schneider, 1998, serious investigators would likely not want to
p. 284) but do not fully disregard the utility of invest their time further in this direction. But it
science. I accept that, while these methods of is deplorable to write or teach about astrology in
romanticism may not meet the criteria of science, any way other than as an unsubstantiated folk
they may still be legitimate and worthwhile tradition and especially to use astrology as part of
scholarly efforts within what could be called a licensed psychological practice. This abuse
transpersonal studies; however, they should not exemplifies one practice steeped in romanticism
be viewed as transpersonal psychology. The that is unfortunately tolerated within transpersonal
positions of romanticists thus range from those psychology. Astrology and similar, nonscientific
who outrightly dismiss any applicability of science practices should not be sanctioned as a legitimate
to the field to those who posit a more moderate part of the field. The myriad of other pseudoscientific
view that science may one day be useful to approaches used by those who embrace extreme
investigate the transpersonal realm but currently romanticism within the field of transpersonal
is inadequate for the task. psychology should also be held up to scientific
The former type of romanticism poses a standards or be excluded from the field.
severe challenge to the field. There are those, for A difficult issue that should be addressed in
example, who take such romanticism as a license this discussion is the way in which traditional
to naively accept, and promulgate, questionable religions are handled. For example, many
beliefs and practices that have not been critically Western transpersonal psychologists seem to
evaluated from a scientific perspective. Such a have rejected their own religious traditions and
stance provides a variety of benefits: Clinical have become enamored of seemingly more
practitioners with this attitude, for example, may exotic traditions. It can even be claimed that at
rely on whatever happens in a psychotherapy present the field of transpersonal psychology can
session without having to tax their skills by using be largely characterized as the Western practice
rational treatment strategies or taking of Eastern religions in a pseudoscientific guise.
responsibility for outcomes. Thus they may But why should traditional beliefs or practices