May R
Am J Psychiatry. 1975 Jul;132(7):703-6. doi: 10.1176/ajp.132.7.703.
Defining "symbol" as that which draws together and unites experience and "myth" as a cluster of symbols set in dramatic form, the author discusses the lack of both symbols and myths in contemporary sociaty. This lack had led to a disintegration of commonly held values and, ultimately, to a great need for psychotherapy on the part of individuals seeking personal identity. The individual must define his or her own values according to personal myths. One basic function of psychotherapy is to help individuals in their attempt to recover values.
作者将“象征”定义为凝聚和统一经验的事物，将“神话”定义为以戏剧形式呈现的一组象征，进而探讨了当代社会中象征和神话的缺失。这种缺失导致了共同持有的价值观的瓦解，最终使得寻求个人身份认同的个体对心理治疗产生了巨大需求。个体必须根据个人神话来界定自己的价值观。心理治疗的一个基本功能就是帮助个体努力找回价值观。
