models + TERMS

The majority of the research on this site uses a definition of purpose and quantification approach that measures eudamonia and reflects, or is derivative of, the work of two psychologists, James Crumbaugh and Leonard Maholick.  Inspired by Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, in 1964, they developed the 20-question Purpose in Life (PIL) test.  The PIL test quantifies the extent to which A. one believes that life has a purpose, B. one can uphold a personal value system and C. has the motivation to achieve future goals and overcome future challenges.  Researchers are able to correlate eudamonia and PIL scores with numerous variables and outcomes in career, well-being and culture.   

"Purpose" and "eudamonia" are not terms, ideas or capacities invented in the 20th century, but have roots in various traditions and fields.

Other Purpose Terms and Models
Below you will find a collection of related terms and models from various fields, in alphabetical order.

• Anima (Acquinas, Thomas)
• Archetypes (Jung, Carl)
• Arete (Greek culture)
• Ase (Yoruba culture)
• Ba (Egyptian culture)
• Blessing (Kelley, Tim)
• Call (Campbell, Joseph)
• Calling (Christian culture)
• Craft (Peele, Brandon)
• Daimon (Hillman, James)
• Default Purpose (Leider, Richard)
• Destiny (Theology)
• Dharma (Hindu culture)
• Duende (Garcia Lorca, Frederico)
• Eudamonia (Aristotle)
• Essence (Kelley, Tim)
• Flow (Csíkszentmihályi, Mihály)
• Genius (Meade, Michael)
• Hun (Taoist culture)
• Ikigai (Japanese culture)
• Jivatman (Hindu culture)
• Ka (Egyptian culture)
• Kairos (Greek culture)
• Kami (Shinto culture)
• Kuleana (Hawaiian culture)
• Logotherapy (Frankl, Victor)
• Mana (Tahitian culture)
• Message (Kelley, Tim)
• Mission (Kelley, Tim)
• Nagual (Olmec culture)
• Neshama (Jewish culture)
• Opus (Moore, Thomas)
• Passion (Attwood, Janet Bray and Chris)
• Pneuma (Greek culture) 
• Po (Taoist culture)
• Pono (Hawaiian culture)
• Positive Psychology (Seligman, Martin)
• Psyche (Aristotle)
• Raison d'etre (French culture)
• Ruh (Islamic culture)
• Soul (Theology)
• Self-actualization (Maslow, Abraham)
• Siura (Dagara culture)
• Story (McAdams, Dan)
• Vidya  (Hindu culture)
• Values (Barrett, Richard)
• Vision (Christian culture)
• Vocation (Parsons, Frank)
• Wacantognaka (Lakota culture)
• Worldview (Peele, Brandon)

Models, by source, in alphabetical order:

• Aristotle: Virtues
• Gustin, Jonathan: Purpose OctagonTM
• Hurst, Aaron: Purpose Drivers (Impact, Values, Craft)
• Kelley, Tim: Essence, Blessing, Mission, Message
• Peele, Brandon: Purpose Tree, Four Stages of Purpose
• Plotkin, Bill: Soul-Centric Development Model
• Purusharthas: Artha, Dharma, Kama, Moksha​

Global Perspectives on Purpose
The majority of research done on purpose has been done in Western countries, however, there is a growing body of research on purpose from non-Western countries. Below is a collection of global perspectives.

• Finland. Purpose is defined as knowing one's goals in life, having meaning life and having a hopeful future. (Tirri, Moran, 2019)
• Spain. Purpose is defined as a life project with two paths: 1. family, career and community or 2. searching for unique personal meaning and contribution. (Mariano & Moran, 2014)
• Brazil. Purpose is defined as a life project that is both a plan for one's life and something that projects into the future. It guides actions, choice and goals and is meaningful to the self and the wider world. It includes the well-being of others and is expressed in work and family. (Araujo, 2014)
• South Africa. Purpose is defined as contributing to others, taking care of family, and having and pursuing meaningful goals. (Journal of Education for Teaching, 2016)