Embracing a Perspective with the Dark Side: Using Second Wave Positive Psychology to Navigate Emotions Throughout Transformative Learning

Abstract

While transformative learning often leads to positive experiences, it can also be a complex, emotionally turbulent process. The process for some can represent a messy and emotionally chaotic journey, where learners may find themselves in conflict with their emotional comfort zones as they question belief systems, who they are, how they see the world, interpret what happens to them, and consider multiple points of view to verify one’s truth and reality. This autoethnographic study focuses on a doctoral student’s interactions with varied cognitive, sociocultural, and emotional challenges throughout their educational and personal experiences. This study integrates Transformative Learning Theory with Ivtzan et al.’s (2016) second wave dark side positive psychology, introducing a dark side perspective to transformative learning. This approach aims to deepen the understanding of the entire emotional experience and offers guidance for navigating the transformative learning process.