The Transformative Self

The Transformative Self explains how people create a self-identity in their life stories to cultivate personal growth and the good life. Combining scientific research in psychology with work in philosophy, literature, history, and more, this book shows how personal and cultural narratives shape the development of happiness, love, and wisdom.

Jack J. Bauer, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and past Raymond A. Roesch, S.M., Endowed Chair in the Social Sciences at the University of Dayton. His research on the topics of this book has appeared in leading journals in the fields of personality and developmental psychology. He is co-editor of the book Transcending Self-Interest: Psychological Explorations of the Quiet Ego. He has been co-editor of the Journal of Happiness Studies, associate editor of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and editor of a local newspaper in northern Michigan.

Section I: The Transformative Self as a Good Life Story
1. Introducing the Transformative Self
2. The Cultural Master Narrative of Personal Growth
3. Growth and the Good Life
4. Growth and a Good Life Story
5. Growthy Tones in Personal Narratives
6. Growth Themes in Personal Narratives
7. Growth Structure in Personal Narratives
Section II: The Person Who Has a Transformative Self
8. Transformative Traits, Motives, and Experiences
9. Transformative Self-Regulation and the Quiet Ego
10. Growth in the Hard and Soft Margins of Society
Section III: The Development of the Transformative Self
11. Nature, Nurture, and 'Ndividuality: Why Personal Growth Is Possible
12. The Transforming, Transformative Self: Identity Development
13. The Aging, Transformative Self: Growth Is Not Just for the Young
14. Stages of Transformative Self-Authorship
Section IV: Shadows and Illumination
15. The Dark Side of the Transformative Self
16. Authenticity, Self-Actualizing, and Self-Authorship
17. The Self Beyond the Story
References
End Notes