Introduction: The purpose of studying purpose and the need for an ecological perspective

Abstract

The empirical study of purpose in life has been a booming industry over recent decades. As such, the current volume provides a reflection on this past work with an eye toward future endeavors across academic disciplines. To start, this introductory chapter provides a brief overview of central topics in the field of purpose. First, we discuss what it means to have a purpose in life, providing different academic lenses through which to consider the construct. Second, we describe the value of purpose in life, as a construct that appears to be associated with wide ranging benefits for individuals across the lifespan. Third, we conclude by setting the stage for the upcoming chapters, providing an organizational scheme that builds from ecological perspectives on human development.