Page 84 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 23

Comment

Cri�cal Commentary on Valerie Murphy’s Ar�cle: “Mo�va�on and Emo�-
on Fluency Educa�on in Psychology Curriculum”
Valerie Murphy’s ar�cle proposes a profound dialogue between emo�onal
understanding, psychological forma�on, and biblical founda�ons. The aut-
hor structures her reflec�on on the convic�on that the training of Chris�an
psychologists cannot neglect emo�onal and mo�va�onal educa�on. This
proposal is anchored in a biblical view of the human being, guided by the
narra�ve of crea�on, fall, and redemp�on, and aims to form professionals
and students who serve others with emo�onal competence and spiritual
discernment.
The text combines three approaches: the theological (especially with refe-
rences to Genesis, the Psalms, and the life of Christ), the psychological (dra-
wing on contemporary affec�ve science), and the pedagogical (through Aender Amaral de Borba
tools such as the Emo�on Category Table and the Psalm 73 Model). The au- Psychologist with over 15
years of experience in cli-
thor not only proposes a path for broadening students’ emo�onal awaren-
ess but also develops resources that can be applied in clinical and educa�o- nical and social se�ngs,
working with socially vul-
nal prac�ce.
nerable children, home-
less individuals, and peo-
ple struggling with sub-
1. The Main Contribu�on of the Ar�cle: A Heart-Centered Chris�an Psychology stance dependence. He
The core of Murphy’s contribu�on lies in the idea that psychological forma- holds a degree in Theolo-
�on must include “emo�onal and mo�va�onal fluency” as an essen�al com- gy from Mar�n Bucer Se-
petence. This fluency is understood as the ability to name, understand, ca- minary in Brazil, where
tegorize, and regulate emo�ons, both intrapersonally and interpersonally. he also served as a cha-
In this sense, the author supports her understanding of affec�ve science by plain and professor for
referencing authors such as Gross, Barre�, and Goleman. She acknowledges seven years. He is a spe-
that emo�onal regula�on is not limited to brain func�on or behavioral trai- cialist in Urban Social
ning, but is deeply related to spirituality and the rela�onship with God. Project Management,
Monitoring, and Evalua�-
This point is especially valuable when considering the contribu�on of Chris- on, and in Elementary Ex-
�an psychology developed by Eric L. Johnson. Like Johnson, Valerie Murphy
perience in Psychology;
understands that the human being is rela�onal, created in the image of God, both cer�fied by the Fe-
and that emo�ons are expressions of the heart in response to reality; espe-
deral University of Minas
cially divine reality. Both authors agree in trea�ng emo�onal life not as an Gerais (UFMG). Current-
obstacle to moral or spiritual life, but as an integral part of the soul’s forma- ly, he is pursuing a Mas-
�on. The concept of the “heart” as the center of the human mo�va�onal ter’s degree in Religious
and affec�ve life is recurrent in Johnson and finds direct resonance in Mur- Studies at the Pon�fical
phy’s text. She understands that Chris�an discipleship involves growing in Catholic University of Mi-
the ability to recognize emo�ons, submit them to the light of Scripture, and nas Gerais (PUC-MG).
transform them through the grace of God.

2. Biblical Founda�on and Pastoral Structure
Another point of excellence in the ar�cle is the careful use of biblical foun-
da�ons. The author dedicates a sec�on to show how God, Christ, and the
Holy Spirit are portrayed in Scripture as beings who express emo�ons: an-

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