Is purpose something we find, or something we build? We challenge the popular notion of purpose as a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Instead, our research frames purpose as a dynamic person-environment process; that is, as something that emerges through interaction with the world around us. This perspective shifts focus from introspective searching to active engagement: purpose can be activated through meaningful experiences, cultivated through deliberate practice, and facilitated by supportive contexts. Understanding purpose acquisition this way opens new pathways for education, career development, and interventions designed to help people develop a sense of purpose.

Illustrative work on this topic:

Burrow, A. L. (2023). Beyond finding purpose: Motivating a translational science of purpose acquisition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(12), 6091. [link]