The Experience of Self-Transcendence in Social Activists.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) January 11, 2023 Carol Barton, Rona Hart 24 citations
Self-transcendent social activists—people who dedicate their lives to serving the greater good without seeking personal recognition—experience their lives as joyful, deeply fulfilled, and impactful. Through in-depth interviews with eight such activists, a theoretical model emerged explaining how their activism develops: a trigger activates their commitment, which is then maintained and sustained, resulting in impacts at individual, community, and global levels. Their actions generate positive contagion through influence, replication, leadership training, and education. The study defines 'self-transcendent social activism' and offers a model of how a deep feeling of connectedness and a vision for a better life lead to sustained, transformative community action.