Arthur Wright Combs: A Humanistic Pioneer.

Arthur Wright Combs (1912-1999) championed humanistic counseling and education. He proposed a theory that incorporated humanistic values and cognitive factors. This article features a review of his contributions, an overview of his theory, a synthesis of stories about Combs that were acquired during research interviews, and my commentary on his legacy. Art decried treating people as things. He insisted on the right and responsibility of persons to choose their own best ways, using their own best judgments. His supportive presence enabled others toil, el respected and encouraged to an extent rarely experienced. His empowering mentorship, commitment to a universally meaningful psychology, and pivotal clarity of thought and expression will be sorely missed. --Richards and Gonzalez (2000, p. 1150) Arthur Wright Combs was a beacon for humanistic education, educational leadership, and counseling during the last half of the 20th century. He was a leader in education reform whose contributions were recognized and respected by other leaders. His self-proclaimed most meaningful research was related to the qualities of good helpers, which he conducted at the University of Florida. He authored over 150 articles and more than 20 books, which have been translated into at least eight languages. Individual Behavior: A New Frame of Reference for Psychology (Snygg & Combs, 1949) provided the foundation for his perceptual-experiential theory of therapy, which he later detailed in A Theory of Therapy: Guidelines for Counseling Practice (Combs, 1989). He continually and dynamically translated his theory and research to contemporary practice. For example, Helping Relationships: Basic Concepts for the Helping Professions (4th ed.; Combs & Gonzalez, 1994) was originally published in 1971. Being and Becoming: A Field Approach to Psychology (Combs, 1999) provided a synthesis of his theory. The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development published books related to education, such as On Becoming a School Leader: A Person-Centered Challenge (Combs, Miser, & Whitaker, 1999). Combs received recognition for his contributions and outstanding research from the American Personnel and Guidance Association (forerunner for the American Counseling Association). The John Dewey Society honored him for distinguished service to contemporary education. He was recognized by the American Psychological Association for "groundbreaking contributions to psychological theory, education reform, and research in the helping professions" (Richards & Gonzalez, 2000, p. 1150). He was a fellow in four divisions of the American Psychological Association and a president of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. Combs died in Greeley, Colorado, on March 21, 1999. During his final professional years, Combs was a distinguished professor at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Prior to his death, Combs participated in a series of interviews conducted by David Welch, another member of the UNC faculty, and Christine Breier, a counselor education and supervision doctoral student (Welch & Breier, 1997). These interviews, books, and articles written by Combs; books and articles about Combs; and additional interviews conducted with research contributors document the magnitude of Combs's legacy--a legacy that included multiple levels of influence on individuals, mental health professions, education, and society. Even though Combs's presence in the founding of humanistic psychology, counseling, and education was prominent, his name rarely appears in contemporary literature. I visited UNC as a candidate for a faculty appointment and was disappointed to learn that Combs had died approximately I year earlier. With authorization from the Institutional Review Board and funding from the university's Sponsored Programs and Academic Research Center and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, I initiated a formal inquiry to acquire information about Combs from people who knew him well during the last years of his life. …