Considerations for a psychology of experience: Heinz Werner's contribution

It is proposed that three themes in Heinz Werner's psychology provide direc tions for a contemporary psychology of experience. The first theme is the n ature of developing mind. Werner's view of the mind as incorporating nonlog ical modes of thought is contrasted with the hyper-rational views that domi nate contemporary psychology. The second theme is Werner's model of the gra dual differentiation and integration of spheres of experience. The model ca n be elaborated with minimal universalist assumptions, thus providing ways of conceptualizing cultural and individual differences as well as changes w ithin a person's life. The third theme is the theory of symbolization that Werner developed in collaboration with Bernard Kaplan. Integrating the theo ry of symbolization with the spheres of experience model, it is seen how in ternal and external acts of symbolization enter into the formation and inte rnal differentiation of spheres.