How do we transform scattered experiences into a coherent narrative? What drives us--consciously or unconsciously--to seek patterns, purpose, and understanding? This is the first volume explicitly devoted to the creation of psychological meaning, which has not been systematically defined and studied until recently. Leading authorities from multiple subdisciplines of psychology explore the mechanisms by which humans figure out the world around them, find direction in personal striving, and make sense of the self and one's life. Cutting-edge theories, methods, and findings are clearly explained, as is the key role of meaning making in the functioning of both individuals and societies.