Travis Research Institute
Cultural Psychology and Narrative Inquiry
Office
Psychology Building 123
Fuller Theological Seminary
180 N. Oakland Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101-1714
jpak@fuller.edu
Phone
626.584.5561
External Collaborators:
Dr. J. W. Lee and his research team, Social Work Department, Kangnam University, Yongin, Korea
Dr. H. H. Xu and her research team, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
Mission
According to recent scholarship from multiple disciplines (e.g., philosophy, anthropology, cognitive and developmental psychology), a person’s sense of self and life experiences are narrative in structure, formed in social interaction, and shaped by larger cultural frameworks. This lab is unique in its combination of cultural psychology and narrative approach to address a variety of theoretical and applied issues in psychology with the aim of advancing knowledge and professional competence at the individual and community level. Focused on a broad range of theoretically grounded topics, the current line of investigation includes how implicit cultural and religious values impact attachment, identity, spiritual formation, and emotional process in trauma, psychotherapy and care.
Recent Publications
Xu, H., Pak, J., Tu, R., and Schuberg, M. (2018). Exploring attachment and spirituality among Christians in China. Asian Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(3), 1-16.
Pak, J. (2017). Cultural psychology of religion and qualitative inquiry. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 28, 163-187.
Kim, J., Pak, J., and Eltiti, S. (2017). Cultural differences in family affection and coping abilities for missionary kids. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 45(2), 79-91.
Sklar, Q. T., Pak, J. and Eltiti, S. (2016). Parent-child closeness and acculturation in predicting racial preference in mate selection among Asian Americans. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 7(4), 265-273.
Kim, H. J., and Pak, J. (2013). Journeys toward spiritual maturity among Korean immigrant women in midlife. Journal of Psychology & Christianity, 32 (1), 3-19.
People
Faculty and Principal investigator
Jenny Pak
Associate Professor of Psychology
BA, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
MA, FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PHD, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Students
Audrey Lee. Audrey is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology. Her research topics involve the dual cultural self of individuals from highly modernized, collectivist cultures and the essential mechanism of therapeutic change through intensive qualitative analyses of psychotherapy sessions.
Angela Dupont. Angela is a fifth-year clinical psychology PhD student whose interests revolve around the effects of culture on psychology. Her current research focuses on the factors (e.g., culture, religion, education, attachment) influencing differences in optimism between French and American nationals.
Ruina Tu. The present study attempts to adopt an emic approach by using concepts endorsed in Chinese culture to delineate the landscape of traditional Chinese parenting from an indigenous standpoint. Specifically, the current research tries to explore the relevant social, cultural and historical factors that have shaped the development and manifestation of Chinese parenting.
Michael Reda. The constructs of parental warmth and control are central to attachment theory’s understanding of the development of healthy relationship between caregiver and infant. Attachment theory treats these constructs as mutually exclusive. However, insights gathered from other cultures, particularly those of East Asia (China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan) suggest this understanding of warmth and control may not hold true. Michael’s project examines cultural critiques originating from East Asia to address Eurocentric biases that may be present in attachment theory’s definitions of warmth and control.
Nadine Sidhom. As a fundamental part of the human experience, grief has been reflected upon for centuries. However, there seems to be a very limited conversation between psychology and theology’s understanding of grief. There is much wisdom to be gleaned from the monastic traditions of the Desert Fathers regarding one’s understanding of life, death, hope, grief, and suffering. Nadine’s project addresses the gap by developing spiritually and culturally informed guidelines that will help treat grieving Coptic clients.
Mary Schuberg. Mary’s project explores the lived experience of holding religious doubt alongside faith and church commitment, specifically in the Roman Catholic context. Narrative analysis is employed to identify both internal and external dimensions of a person who holds the tension between the ideals promoted by their religion while also allowing themselves to wrestle with the questions that come with the daily life application of those ideals in reality.
Karissa Burnette. Using mixed methods, Karissa’s project focuses on understanding covert psychological abuse in romantic relationships. In addition to measuring psychological abuse, adult attachment style, and differentiation of self, particular attention is paid to formative relational and cultural experiences, the lived experience of covert psychological abuse, and the process of breaking free. Ultimately, it is hoped that this project will contribute to greater clinical awareness regarding the dynamics of covert psychological abuse and the healing process.
Sarah Mahtani. Psychological abuse of males is rarely investigated even though it may be more common. This study examines men’s experience of psychological abuse by their intimate partners.
Rachel Middendorf. Rachel’s project focuses on factors that promote resilience in individuals who experienced childhood abuse, as well as how these factors can be promoted through psychotherapy.
Eleanor Baylon. Eleanor’s project studies the mechanisms of resilience in Filipino-Americans.
Contact Us
t. 626.584.5544
email: tri@fuller.edu
Staff
Jim Cummings, MDiv, MA
Research Administrator
jamescummings2@fuller.edu
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm
Address
Room 326
180 N. Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182