| This study was undertaken because of the similarities between the evolution of humanistic psychology and the development of American modern dance. Humanistic psychology and modern dance both emphasized the need for personal liberation, and both represented a rebellious response to the status quo, one in the field of psychology, and the other in the American dance world.; Because of this parallel process, the research question has several aspects: first, did the growth of either humanistic psychology or modern dance assist the other to evolve? Second, what were the significant connections that were made between the pioneers in each of these fields? What awareness did the psychologists and dancers have of each other's work? Did the dance/movement therapists provide connections? Finally, were the evolutions of humanistic psychology and American modern dance reflective of the vast cultural shifts that were occurring throughout the western world during the first part of the 20th century?; The research methodology combines two approaches. An archival, database literature review examines the work of four pioneers of humanistic psychology, Abraham Maslow, Rollo May, Earl Rogers, and James Bugental. A similar literature review explores the writings of the dancers Ted Shawn, Ruth St. Denis, Mary Wigman, Martha Graham, and Hanya Holm, and the work of the dance/movement therapists, Marian Chace, Penny Bernstein Lewis, Fran Levy, and Ilene Serlin. Both reviews situate the exploration within a sociopolitical context.; The second research approach contains 10 semi-structured interviews, conducted with contemporary modern dancers about their professional work, their teachers, their knowledge of and experience with psychology and psychotherapy, and their connections to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. The 10 interviews were coded for themes and ideas, and presented in a case-ordered meta-matrix. The matrix display provided a data reduction tool, permitting data verification and the determination of conclusions.; The research results demonstrate an evolving interest, along generational lines, among the dancers, the four pioneers of humanistic psychology, and the dance/movement therapists. It was within the third generation that the strongest connections between the groups emerged.; It is also the third generation that is the most reflective of the changing zeitgeist during the 20th century. This dissertation discusses the pioneers in these three fields, hoping to demonstrate the parallel growth and evolution that occurred. |
