Papers by John M Rector
The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society, 2017
Objectification is the human tendency to misapprehend the depth of others, to see them not as int... more Objectification is the human tendency to misapprehend the depth of others, to see them not as integrated wholes of psyche and soma, worthy of respect and even reverence, but more as objects. Societal conventional wisdom is that objectification is a dichotomous variable, suggesting that either one is objectifying others or one is not. However, a new conceptual understanding of objectification proposes it as a continuous variable comprising a spectrum of misapprehension, applicable to many contexts, and engaged in routinely by most people. The proposed " objectification spectrum " runs from casual indifference at the low end, to derivatization in the middle, and finally, to dehumanization at the high end. Each of these demarcation points are defined, differentiated, and explained with examples. It is proposed that a better understanding of objectification, along with its central underlying mechanism, will enhance efforts toward diminishing its influence. W hen most of us hear the word objectification, we tend to think of the exploitation of women for sexual or commercial purposes. A cursory internet search of the question, " What is objectification? " shows an overwhelming preponderance of this particular understanding of the term. This is likely due to half a century of feminist activism successfully heightening societal awareness of the role objectification plays in the oppression of women (
Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought
Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners.
APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser c... more APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser configuration. - alerts user that their session is about to expire - display, print, save, export, and email selected records - get My ...
This study was conducted in order to determine ifmembers ofthe Church ofJesus Christ ofLatter-day... more This study was conducted in order to determine ifmembers ofthe Church ofJesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints (LDS) make attributions consistent with the idea that wealth and righteousness are related. Results indicated that Church members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than a poor one. Potential reasons for these findings are explored, along with the ramifications such beliefs might have for members of the LDS Church. From its beginnings, Christianity has been infusedwith an inner tension as a result of the teachings of Jesus on one hand, and the desire of Christians to co-exist and be accepted within larger economically-orient-ed host cultures on the other- in other words, to live a life of the spirit while being immersed in the world. For the early Christian church, monasticism was one response to this tension. Those who were more sensitive and enlightened often felt "called " to renounce the world through entering the cloistered monast...
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy, 2003
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy, 2006
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy, 2002
Sin is an inevitable reality of mortal experience and respresents a paradox: although sin should ... more Sin is an inevitable reality of mortal experience and respresents a paradox: although sin should always be shunned, it nonetheless plays a necessary part in our spiritual growth and progress. This paper explores the nature of paradox, the relationship between good and evil, and the ways in which the reality of sin can ultimately be used for human learning, development, and evolution. Innocence and purity are virtues, but the humility and suffering which accompany sin can open the way, through the atonement of Christ, to far greater virtues: compassion, charity, tolerance, and understanding.
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy, 2004
This study was conducted in order to determine if members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter... more This study was conducted in order to determine if members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) make attributions consistent with the idea that wealth and righteousness are related. Results indicated that Church members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than a poor one. Potential reasons for these findings are explored, along with the ramifications such beliefs might have for members of the LDS Church. Portions of this study were presented to the AMCAP Convention, April 1, 2004.
This paper presents a sample dialogue which has been used effectively in psychotherapy with Latte... more This paper presents a sample dialogue which has been used effectively in psychotherapy with Latter-day Saint (LDS) clients who suffer from the belief that their worth as individuals is based on their performance (i.e., "conditional self-worth"). The dialogue maizes use of LDS theology and strategic questioning in order to dispute and ultimately replace the client's paradigm of conditional self-worth with beliefs in unconditional httman worth. The dialogue is considered as one component of a larger religio-psychotherapeutic approach which has as its goal increasingj/exible, rational thinking, including the belief that all human beings have unconditional worth.
Objectification is the human tendency to misapprehend the depth of others, to see them not as int... more Objectification is the human tendency to misapprehend the depth of others, to see them not as integrated wholes of psyche and soma, worthy of respect and even reverence, but more as objects. Societal conventional wisdom is that objectification is a dichotomous variable, suggesting that either one is objectifying others or one is not. However, a new conceptual understanding of objectification proposes it as a continuous variable comprising a spectrum of misapprehension, applicable to many contexts, and engaged in routinely by most people. The proposed " objectification spectrum " runs from casual indifference at the low end, to derivatization in the middle, and finally, to dehumanization at the high end. Each of these demarcation points are defined, differentiated, and explained with examples. It is proposed that a better understanding of objectification, along with its central underlying mechanism, will enhance efforts toward diminishing its influence. W hen most of us hear the word objectification, we tend to think of the exploitation of women for sexual or commercial purposes. A cursory internet search of the question, " What is objectification? " shows an overwhelming preponderance of this particular understanding of the term. This is likely due to half a century of feminist activism successfully heightening societal awareness of the role objectification plays in the oppression of women (
This study was conducted in order to determine if members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter... more This study was conducted in order to determine if members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
make attributions consistent with the idea that wealth and righteousness are related. Results indicated that Church
members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than a poor one. Potential reasons
for these findings are explored, along with the ramifications such beliefs might have for members of the LDS Church.
Books by John M Rector
What lies at the heart of humanity's capacity for evil? Any tenable answer to this age-old questi... more What lies at the heart of humanity's capacity for evil? Any tenable answer to this age-old question must include an explanation of our penchant for objectifying and dehumanizing our fellow human beings. The Objectification Spectrum: Understanding and Transcending Our Diminishment and Dehumanization of Others draws upon timeless wisdom and gripping historical accounts to propose a new model of objectification. Rather than offering a narrow definition of the term, the author explores objectification as a spectrum of misapprehension running from its mildest form, casual indifference, to its most extreme manifestation, dehumanization. Using vivid examples to clearly demarcate three primary levels of objectification, the author engages in a thoughtful exploration of various dispositional and situational factors contributing to this uniquely human phenomenon. These include narcissism, the ego, death denial, toxic situations, and our perceived boundaries of self, among others. Rector then gives us reason to hope by orienting his model of objectification into a broader continuum of human capability--one that includes a countervailing enlightenment spectrum. Gleaning insights from classic philosophy, the world's five most prominent religious traditions, and current social science research, he examines the best antidotes humankind has devised thus far to move us from casual concern for our fellow human beings toward interconnectedness and, ultimately, unity consciousness. Broad in scope and deeply penetrating, The Objectification Spectrum advances the conversation about the nature of human evil into personally relevant, potentially transformative territory.
Book Chapter by John M Rector
Empirical evidence has shown that people's spiritual values and behaviors can promote physical an... more Empirical evidence has shown that people's spiritual values and behaviors can promote physical and psychological coping, healing, and well-being. This finding has led many mental health professionals to conclude that clients' spiritual values should be viewed as a potential resource in psychotherapy. This chapter discusses how psychotherapists can bring values, particularly spiritual ones, to the foreground of therapy to facilitate clients' healing and growth. Historical and philosophical perspectives about values, spirituality, and psychotherapy are first reviewed to lay the groundwork for the authors' approach. A spiritual approach to working with values in therapy is then described. By helping clients affirm their core spiritual values, live congruently with these values, and access the spiritual resources in their lives, therapists can more effectively assist clients in their efforts to cope, heal, and grow.
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Papers by John M Rector
make attributions consistent with the idea that wealth and righteousness are related. Results indicated that Church
members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than a poor one. Potential reasons
for these findings are explored, along with the ramifications such beliefs might have for members of the LDS Church.
Books by John M Rector
Book Chapter by John M Rector
make attributions consistent with the idea that wealth and righteousness are related. Results indicated that Church
members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than a poor one. Potential reasons
for these findings are explored, along with the ramifications such beliefs might have for members of the LDS Church.