ISSEP - Existential Psychology
@theissep.bsky.social
Visit us at ISSEP.org. The International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology (ISSEP) supports the research, communication, and application of existential psychology.
Last call for Research Grant proposals! Due Nov 15.
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Research Grants — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Each year, ISSEP will fund a set of research grants (up to $3,000 per project) — inexpensive but well-designed and well-powered studies that have the potential to contribute to the literature and a la...
www.issep.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Last call for Research Grant proposals! Due Nov 15.
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Call for Research Grant proposals! Due Nov 15.
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Research Grants — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Each year, ISSEP will fund a set of research grants (up to $3,000 per project) — inexpensive but well-designed and well-powered studies that have the potential to contribute to the literature and a la...
www.issep.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Call for Research Grant proposals! Due Nov 15.
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Multiple funded in 5 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
Funds research on the dynamics of being and becoming in social and mental life.
More info: www.issep.org/research-gra...
Call for Annual Award Nominations! Due Nov 15.
• Distinguished Career ($1,000)
• Early Career ($1,000)
• Outstanding Student ($500)
• Best Paper ($500) in 5 tracks: General; Cross-cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
More info: www.issep.org/annual-awards
• Distinguished Career ($1,000)
• Early Career ($1,000)
• Outstanding Student ($500)
• Best Paper ($500) in 5 tracks: General; Cross-cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
More info: www.issep.org/annual-awards
Annual Awards — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Each year, ISSEP funds the Early and Distinguished Career Contribution Awards ($1000 each), Best Paper Award ($500), and Outstanding Student Award ($500)
www.issep.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Call for Annual Award Nominations! Due Nov 15.
• Distinguished Career ($1,000)
• Early Career ($1,000)
• Outstanding Student ($500)
• Best Paper ($500) in 5 tracks: General; Cross-cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
More info: www.issep.org/annual-awards
• Distinguished Career ($1,000)
• Early Career ($1,000)
• Outstanding Student ($500)
• Best Paper ($500) in 5 tracks: General; Cross-cultural; International; Interdisciplinary; Ernest Becker.
More info: www.issep.org/annual-awards
Dan McAdams considers how identity involves conscious experience of choice, impacting the way we craft and re-craft our selves. Identity is a story (the "true novel") written with fear and trembling and sometimes with generativity and redemption.
www.issep.org/features/nar...
www.issep.org/features/nar...
Narrative Identity is Existentialist — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Dan P. McAdams
www.issep.org
November 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Dan McAdams considers how identity involves conscious experience of choice, impacting the way we craft and re-craft our selves. Identity is a story (the "true novel") written with fear and trembling and sometimes with generativity and redemption.
www.issep.org/features/nar...
www.issep.org/features/nar...
4 days left for submissions! Existential Psychology 2026 SPSP Preconference: Submit by Oct 23, Register by Feb 13!
Theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, Data Blitz & Posters, awards, funding!
www.issep.org/conference
Theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, Data Blitz & Posters, awards, funding!
www.issep.org/conference
October 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
4 days left for submissions! Existential Psychology 2026 SPSP Preconference: Submit by Oct 23, Register by Feb 13!
Theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, Data Blitz & Posters, awards, funding!
www.issep.org/conference
Theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, Data Blitz & Posters, awards, funding!
www.issep.org/conference
The 4th World Congress of Existential Therapy will be in Denver/Aurora, Colorado, June 3-6, 2026. Call for Papers, open to December 1, 2025. Largest gathering of existential therapists in the world, every 3-4 years; this is the 1st in the USA. Visit wcet4.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The 4th World Congress of Existential Therapy will be in Denver/Aurora, Colorado, June 3-6, 2026. Call for Papers, open to December 1, 2025. Largest gathering of existential therapists in the world, every 3-4 years; this is the 1st in the USA. Visit wcet4.com
Tessa van der Willigen was the Chief of Staff to 2 of IMF’s Managing Directors. Now, she works on existential psychology, and spoke with us about the difference between ontological and phenomenological autonomy. Also, advice, Shakespeare, & Kae Tempest.
www.issep.org/spotlights/w...
www.issep.org/spotlights/w...
Tessa van der Willigen on Autonomy — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Tessa van der Willigen’s work advances our understanding of the experience of autonomy.
www.issep.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Tessa van der Willigen was the Chief of Staff to 2 of IMF’s Managing Directors. Now, she works on existential psychology, and spoke with us about the difference between ontological and phenomenological autonomy. Also, advice, Shakespeare, & Kae Tempest.
www.issep.org/spotlights/w...
www.issep.org/spotlights/w...
Due Nov 15: Nominate yourself/others for our...
• Distinguished Career Award ($1000).
• Early Career Award ($1000).
• Outstanding Student Award ($500).
• Best Paper Award ($500), one each in five categories.
www.issep.org/annual-awards
• Distinguished Career Award ($1000).
• Early Career Award ($1000).
• Outstanding Student Award ($500).
• Best Paper Award ($500), one each in five categories.
www.issep.org/annual-awards
Annual Awards — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Each year, ISSEP funds the Early and Distinguished Career Contribution Awards ($1000 each), Best Paper Award ($500), and Outstanding Student Award ($500)
www.issep.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Due Nov 15: Nominate yourself/others for our...
• Distinguished Career Award ($1000).
• Early Career Award ($1000).
• Outstanding Student Award ($500).
• Best Paper Award ($500), one each in five categories.
www.issep.org/annual-awards
• Distinguished Career Award ($1000).
• Early Career Award ($1000).
• Outstanding Student Award ($500).
• Best Paper Award ($500), one each in five categories.
www.issep.org/annual-awards
Due Nov 15: Apply for a research grant (up to $3,000 per project). Multiple funded in each of 4 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary.
www.issep.org/research-gra...
www.issep.org/research-gra...
Research Grants — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Each year, ISSEP will fund a set of research grants (up to $3,000 per project) — inexpensive but well-designed and well-powered studies that have the potential to contribute to the literature and a la...
www.issep.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Due Nov 15: Apply for a research grant (up to $3,000 per project). Multiple funded in each of 4 tracks: General; Cross-Cultural; International; Interdisciplinary.
www.issep.org/research-gra...
www.issep.org/research-gra...
Due Nov 15: Applications for the Ernest Becker Honors. Up to $3,500 per research grant, $500 for best paper award, addressing ideas of Ernest Becker via the science of existential psychology. See site for details.
www.issep.org/ernest-becke...
www.issep.org/ernest-becke...
Ernest Becker Honors — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
www.issep.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Due Nov 15: Applications for the Ernest Becker Honors. Up to $3,500 per research grant, $500 for best paper award, addressing ideas of Ernest Becker via the science of existential psychology. See site for details.
www.issep.org/ernest-becke...
www.issep.org/ernest-becke...
Existential Psychology 2026 SPSP Preconference: Submit by Oct 23, Register by Feb 13!
Speaker theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, 2 Data Blitz sessions, Poster session, award ceremony, award funding!
www.issep.org/conference
Speaker theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, 2 Data Blitz sessions, Poster session, award ceremony, award funding!
www.issep.org/conference
Conference — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
At the Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference, both eminent and rising scholars present their work in a stimulating variety of formats, including a keynote address, a special address, a series of r...
www.issep.org
October 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Existential Psychology 2026 SPSP Preconference: Submit by Oct 23, Register by Feb 13!
Speaker theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, 2 Data Blitz sessions, Poster session, award ceremony, award funding!
www.issep.org/conference
Speaker theme: Meaning & Purpose. Keynote by Mike Steger, Special by Tim Golden; 12 Invited Talks, 2 Data Blitz sessions, Poster session, award ceremony, award funding!
www.issep.org/conference
Meaning/purpose can be tough to find amid a world with indifference, pain, and suffering.
Daryl Van Tongeren discusses how existential psych research studies motivated meaning; the "existential trade-offs" of religious faith; and the path to growth from suffering.
www.issep.org/features/flo...
Daryl Van Tongeren discusses how existential psych research studies motivated meaning; the "existential trade-offs" of religious faith; and the path to growth from suffering.
www.issep.org/features/flo...
Flourishing amid suffering — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Daryl R. Van Tongeren
www.issep.org
September 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Meaning/purpose can be tough to find amid a world with indifference, pain, and suffering.
Daryl Van Tongeren discusses how existential psych research studies motivated meaning; the "existential trade-offs" of religious faith; and the path to growth from suffering.
www.issep.org/features/flo...
Daryl Van Tongeren discusses how existential psych research studies motivated meaning; the "existential trade-offs" of religious faith; and the path to growth from suffering.
www.issep.org/features/flo...
Legacy... How do you want to leave your mark? Do you want to positively impact people, in some way? Or become famous so they remember you and your name?
Stylianos Syropoulos studies legacy motivations & shared about the data, popular culture, and gave advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/s...
Stylianos Syropoulos studies legacy motivations & shared about the data, popular culture, and gave advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/s...
Stylianos Syropoulos on legacy motivations — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Stylianos Syropolous’s research studies impact-oriented and reputation-focused intergenerational concerns in legacy motivations.
www.issep.org
September 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Legacy... How do you want to leave your mark? Do you want to positively impact people, in some way? Or become famous so they remember you and your name?
Stylianos Syropoulos studies legacy motivations & shared about the data, popular culture, and gave advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/s...
Stylianos Syropoulos studies legacy motivations & shared about the data, popular culture, and gave advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/s...
Eranda Jayawickreme argues posttraumatic growth is often reported, but might not be genuine. Alternative explanations include self-enhancement, active coping, expectancy violations, cultural scripts. What do we know for sure? Here are three data-based patterns...
www.issep.org/features/doe...
www.issep.org/features/doe...
Do we really know if adversity makes us stronger? — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Eranda Jayawickreme
www.issep.org
August 31, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Eranda Jayawickreme argues posttraumatic growth is often reported, but might not be genuine. Alternative explanations include self-enhancement, active coping, expectancy violations, cultural scripts. What do we know for sure? Here are three data-based patterns...
www.issep.org/features/doe...
www.issep.org/features/doe...
Sheila Umemoto studies how civilian and active-duty military handle existential insecurity and its effect on substance use vs. abuse, belonging, and suicide risk. She shared about the research, her life experience, art/culture, music, and offered advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/u...
www.issep.org/spotlights/u...
Sheila Umemoto on soldiers, resilience, and suicide — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Sheila Umemoto’s research explores resilience against suicide, especially among soldiers.
www.issep.org
August 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Sheila Umemoto studies how civilian and active-duty military handle existential insecurity and its effect on substance use vs. abuse, belonging, and suicide risk. She shared about the research, her life experience, art/culture, music, and offered advice.
www.issep.org/spotlights/u...
www.issep.org/spotlights/u...
Ross Rogers noticed we sometimes feel "bored to death" and busyness seems to cure the existential dread. His experiments suggest managing our existential concerns requires living up to our cultural values, which often means taking action. Get busy living!
www.issep.org/features/shu...
www.issep.org/features/shu...
Shuffling Deck Chairs on the Titanic — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Ross Rogers
www.issep.org
July 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Ross Rogers noticed we sometimes feel "bored to death" and busyness seems to cure the existential dread. His experiments suggest managing our existential concerns requires living up to our cultural values, which often means taking action. Get busy living!
www.issep.org/features/shu...
www.issep.org/features/shu...
Kasia Cantarero shared about data finding that, vs. neutral and self-oriented, other-oriented mindsets boost meaning and engagement at work. Illustrations from Friends, Simpsons, and The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit. Plus work-life balance, running, kids, music.
www.issep.org/spotlights/c...
www.issep.org/spotlights/c...
Katarzyna Cantarero on promoting meaning at work — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Kasia Cantarero’s research explored how other-oriented appraisals of work influenced meaning and engagement at work.
www.issep.org
July 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Kasia Cantarero shared about data finding that, vs. neutral and self-oriented, other-oriented mindsets boost meaning and engagement at work. Illustrations from Friends, Simpsons, and The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit. Plus work-life balance, running, kids, music.
www.issep.org/spotlights/c...
www.issep.org/spotlights/c...
Can the concept of death be good for your health?
Jamie Goldenberg studies the impact of conscious and non-conscious death salience on physical health behaviors, from sunscreen use, to smoking, to cancer screening. Important work!
www.issep.org/features/dea...
Jamie Goldenberg studies the impact of conscious and non-conscious death salience on physical health behaviors, from sunscreen use, to smoking, to cancer screening. Important work!
www.issep.org/features/dea...
Can death be good for your health? — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Jamie L. Goldenberg
www.issep.org
May 25, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Can the concept of death be good for your health?
Jamie Goldenberg studies the impact of conscious and non-conscious death salience on physical health behaviors, from sunscreen use, to smoking, to cancer screening. Important work!
www.issep.org/features/dea...
Jamie Goldenberg studies the impact of conscious and non-conscious death salience on physical health behaviors, from sunscreen use, to smoking, to cancer screening. Important work!
www.issep.org/features/dea...
$10 Amazon voucher to participate in Univ Birmingham study on academics perception of research and scholars of other disciplines. Must be 18+, English fluent, have PhD, research or teach at uni, have uni email (e.g., .edu). Contact: s.watanabe@bham.ac.uk
tinyurl.com/5dmk4nm7
tinyurl.com/5dmk4nm7
XTRS02V01
Study on psychologists' perceptions of scholars in other disciplines
tinyurl.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
$10 Amazon voucher to participate in Univ Birmingham study on academics perception of research and scholars of other disciplines. Must be 18+, English fluent, have PhD, research or teach at uni, have uni email (e.g., .edu). Contact: s.watanabe@bham.ac.uk
tinyurl.com/5dmk4nm7
tinyurl.com/5dmk4nm7
Lisa Blatz studied freedom experiences, ID'd a two-factor solution, tracked it longitudinally: ppl enjoyed "freedom from" restraints but anxious about "freedom to" find their way in life. Nods to Erich Fromm, Isaiah Berlin, Nina Simone, Animal Farm, modern dance, etc.
www.issep.org/spotlights/b...
www.issep.org/spotlights/b...
Lisa Blatz on Measuring the Emotional Experiences of Freedom — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Lisa Blatz’s research explores ways to measure the emotional experiences of freedom.
www.issep.org
May 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Lisa Blatz studied freedom experiences, ID'd a two-factor solution, tracked it longitudinally: ppl enjoyed "freedom from" restraints but anxious about "freedom to" find their way in life. Nods to Erich Fromm, Isaiah Berlin, Nina Simone, Animal Farm, modern dance, etc.
www.issep.org/spotlights/b...
www.issep.org/spotlights/b...
Graduation coming up? Moving soon? Just 1 weekend together with your long-distance partner? Jaime Kurtz explains research showing how an awareness of time's scarcity promotes emotional savoring.
www.issep.org/features/tim...
www.issep.org/features/tim...
Time’s scarcity promotes emotional savoring — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Jaime Kurtz
www.issep.org
April 23, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Graduation coming up? Moving soon? Just 1 weekend together with your long-distance partner? Jaime Kurtz explains research showing how an awareness of time's scarcity promotes emotional savoring.
www.issep.org/features/tim...
www.issep.org/features/tim...
Abdo Elnakouri's research focuses on the existential function of secret truths and privileged knowledge. We chatted about his work, and how it shows up in Nietzsche, Paul Erdos, House, The Alchemist, The Secret, HHGTTG, and Tom Day. Check it out!
www.issep.org/spotlights/e...
www.issep.org/spotlights/e...
Abdo Elnakouri on the Search for Truth and Knowledge — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Abdo Elnakouri’s research focuses on existential function of secret truths and privileged knowledge.
www.issep.org
April 2, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Abdo Elnakouri's research focuses on the existential function of secret truths and privileged knowledge. We chatted about his work, and how it shows up in Nietzsche, Paul Erdos, House, The Alchemist, The Secret, HHGTTG, and Tom Day. Check it out!
www.issep.org/spotlights/e...
www.issep.org/spotlights/e...
Sheldon Solomon builds on Martin Heidegger's "Being and time" and Ann Dillard's "For the time being" to contemplate thrown-ness, death and authentic living, and the angst and responsibility that comes with being a Being in time. Super stimulating read!
www.issep.org/features/bei...
www.issep.org/features/bei...
Being and Time… For the time being — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
By Sheldon Solomon
www.issep.org
March 21, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Sheldon Solomon builds on Martin Heidegger's "Being and time" and Ann Dillard's "For the time being" to contemplate thrown-ness, death and authentic living, and the angst and responsibility that comes with being a Being in time. Super stimulating read!
www.issep.org/features/bei...
www.issep.org/features/bei...
Check out the Shared Reality Virtual Conference happening Wednesday March 12 & Thursday March 13, 2025, between 9:50 AM - 1:10 PM ET!
Registration is FREE!
northwestern.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Registration is FREE!
northwestern.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
March 8, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Check out the Shared Reality Virtual Conference happening Wednesday March 12 & Thursday March 13, 2025, between 9:50 AM - 1:10 PM ET!
Registration is FREE!
northwestern.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Registration is FREE!
northwestern.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Alexis Goad studies how cultural (mis)representations of Native American identities impact whether people internalize those identities as part of their "authentic self." Huge implications! plus... Rez Dogs, drumline, & Green Day!
www.issep.org/spotlights/g...
www.issep.org/spotlights/g...
Alexis Goad on Culture, Authenticity, & Indigenous Identity — International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology
Alexis Goad’s research explores the impact of culture and lived experience on authenticity in Native American identities.
www.issep.org
March 2, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Alexis Goad studies how cultural (mis)representations of Native American identities impact whether people internalize those identities as part of their "authentic self." Huge implications! plus... Rez Dogs, drumline, & Green Day!
www.issep.org/spotlights/g...
www.issep.org/spotlights/g...