心理傳記學是有系統的及實質的運用心理學的理論及知識將個人的生命轉換成一個連貫的故事。心理傳記學不僅是一種撰寫傳記的方法,也是一種研究心理學的方式。本研究的目的是在介紹及討論心理傳記學及其方法。其內容包括心理傳記學的定義、心理傳記法、心理傳記研究的爭議、心理傳記建構的歷程以及心理傳記學的應用及可能的貢獻。近年來,人文及社會科學中,典範轉移已日趨明顯,心理傳記學也逐漸受到研究者的肯定。本文並以台灣一個心理傳記學的研究為例,論述心理傳記的研究歷程及研究反思。最後,心理傳記學作為一種理解個人生命的重要方法,本文討論其對心理學的貢獻和未來發展。
Psychobiography is the systematic and substantial use of psychological theory and knowledge to transform a person's life into a coherent and illuminating story. Psychobiography is not only a way of doing biography, it is also a way of doing psychology. The purpose of this study is to introduce and discuss the methods used in psychobiography. This study includes the definitions of psychobiography, psychobiographical methods, the issues of doing psychobiography, the process to construct a psychobiography as well as the application and possible contributions of psychobiography. Recently, paradigm shift in human and social sciences is more obvious. Psychobiographical research is gaining more and more recognition. An example of psychobiographical study is also presented and examined. In conclusion, the possible contribution and development of psychobiography are introduced.