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Chapter 9 - You Live, You Learn

The Processes and Crises of Purpose Development across the Lifespan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2025

By
Patrick L. Hill ,
Nathan A. Lewis  and
Laura Dewitte
Edited by
Patrick Hill  and
Anthony L. Burrow
Patrick Hill
Affiliation:
Washington University, St Louis
Anthony L. Burrow
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
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Summary

One consistent question from audiences at talks about purpose is simply, how do we develop purpose over time? Lamentably, while we know quite a bit about the value of purpose, the field has been lacking efforts to describe how it develops in the short and long term. The Chapter 1 will explore multiple frameworks for discussing purpose development, borrowing from personality and clinical science. Critically, we highlight the need to consider momentary bursts of purpose as catalysts for broader development, insofar that these moments provide individuals with affective and cognitive feedback regarding whether they are on the right path. Put simply, as people live through different experiences, they learn which activities, roles, and goals are of greatest personal importance.

Keywords

purpose developmentlived experiencePATHS modelsense of purpose

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Purpose In Life As Ancient but Nascent
Perspectives from Psychology, Philosophy, and Human Development
 , pp. 185 - 206
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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