If you are interested in expanding your vision in order to improve your psychology practice, you should consider enrolling an integral psychology program. Some consider the unified theory of psychology to be a utopic dream which aims to build a peaceful world where all humans can flourish.

However, rather than being a mere dream, the integral theory simply aims to deepen one’s understanding of the human development, by analyzing all the changes that drive it, from interpersonal dynamics to ecological and political changes. The long-term goal of the integral approach is to promote self-healing and drive positive social changes. Keep on reading to discover some major benefits of attending a university program focused on the integral theory of psychology.

You will gain a deeper understanding of consciousness and development

The integral theory of psychology aims to bridge the connection between the different stages of consciousness and the many stages of psychological development. To understand the implications of this relationship in both clinical and non-clinical conditions, students must study intersubjectivity from different perspectives such as psychology, neurology, philosophy, social theories and even spirituality.

You will learn the importance of planetary citizenship

While it is still far from turning into reality, the concept of planetary citizenship must be studied in depth in order to understand how human activity is impacting planet-wide issues. A global framework of human rights and responsibilities cannot be possible without a thorough understanding and application of integral awareness. Only by activating an integral awareness of the masses can we contribute to making positive social and political changes at a global scale.

You learn how to nurture your relation with nature

The intersection of psychology and ecology is a rather controversial subject. Nonetheless, transpersonal psychology cannot be fully studied without a solid understanding of ecopsychology and deep ecology. The way we explore our ecosystem needs to be studied from a cultural, a psychological and a philosophical point of view, in order for the humankind to coexist in a peaceful relation with nature.

You will learn how to apply integral theories to your practice

The integral approach to psychology is not purely theoretical. On the contrary, its purpose is to be applied by practitioners in order to make tangible positive changes. By enrolling in an integral psychology program, you will be able to analyze case studies of the most efficient applications of the integral theory, in the most diverse fields. From a clinical, an organizational and even an environmental context, you will be able to see for yourself how applying the integral theory can make positive changes in the world, and you will learn efficient strategies to apply this theory in your practice.

You will be able to study the complexity of the concept of evil

The concept of evil is one of the most complex and most controversial philosophical and psychological topics. As the integral theory aims to unify all areas of psychology, it cannot ignore the many dimensions of evil. By studying different perspectives of this complex topic, students can understand how different individuals talk and relate to the concept of evil, and apply this knowledge to help their patients deal with different emotions like regret or guilt.

You will gain a better understanding of world politics

The internet has made it possible for everybody to know everything that is happening in the world. This great amount of information should have made it easier for people to understand politics, but the truth is that it has only made things more confusing. However, politics cannot be understood solely by analyzing actions and events, as everything that happens is driven by psychological reasons. To understand the psychological foundation of political behaviors, one must first study the psychology of propaganda, political movements, partisan identities and ideologies.

As you can see, the integral theory aims to analyzes all the important factors in our lives, from a psychological point of view. As such, its teachings can be applied to encourage development in all aspects of life.