The Richness of Kokoro and its Paradox: Change in Kokoro and their Ripple Effects in Psychotherapy

Research Topic
The Richness of Kokoro and its Paradox: Change in Kokoro and their Ripple Effects in Psychotherapy

Lead Researcher
Toshio Kawai, Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

Collaborating Researchers
Yasuhiro Tanaka, Professor, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University

Kotaro Umemura, Junior Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University

Center Co-Researchers
Chihiro Hatanaka, Senior Lecturer, Uehiro Kokoro Studies, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

Yuka Suzuki, Program-Specific Assistant Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

Hisae Konakawa, Program-Specific Research Fellow, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

In general, psychotherapy aims for growth or development through the resolution of psychological problems of the clients. The process in which a client of psychotherapy recovers or changes from the negative state is not always generated only by the image of an upward right growth. It has been realized in clinical practices that negative things arising in the process of psychotherapy sometimes bring a growth of kokoro. Also, when recovery or change from a negative state occurs, a growth of plus α sometimes arises in addition to the settlement of the initial problem, namely, “the richness in kokoro” which is considered to be paradoxical.

In this research, “the richness of kokoro” is regarded as a change or recovery from the negative state, and psychotherapy cases are quantitatively analyzed from a meta point of view. These efforts will lead to the visualization of actual changes in kokoro.

In addition, this research aims to find a recovery function specific to Japanese culture connected to nature and communities, as the resilience specific to Japanese people attracted international attention after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Based on these results, this research also aims to present a typified model of the possibility of kokoro’s recovery and growth in the contemporary society where not everyone is free from stress.

2020/05/22