Phenomenological research methods in psychology that emerged from the philosophies of Husserl and Heidegger

Sample Solution

Phenomenological research methods in psychology are a set of research methods that emerged from the philosophies of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. These methods focus on understanding the lived experience of individuals and groups.

Theorists/psychologists who developed phenomenological research methods:

• Edmund Husserl: Husserl was a German philosopher who is considered the father of phenomenology. He developed a method of phenomenological research called descriptive phenomenology. This method involves bracketing off all assumptions and preconceived notions about the world in order to focus on the immediate experience of the phenomenon being studied.

Full Answer Section

• Martin Heidegger: Heidegger was a German philosopher who was a student of Husserl. He developed a method of phenomenological research called hermeneutic phenomenology. This method focuses on interpreting the meaning of the lived experience.
• Amedeo Giorgi: Giorgi was an Italian-American psychologist who is considered one of the pioneers of phenomenological research in psychology. He developed a method of phenomenological research called psychological phenomenology. This method combines the descriptive and hermeneutic methods of Husserl and Heidegger.
• Jean-Paul Sartre: Sartre was a French philosopher and existentialist who was influenced by Heidegger. He developed a method of phenomenological research called existential phenomenology. This method focuses on understanding the meaning of existence and the human condition.

Phenomenological Research Methods from Husserl

Descriptive phenomenology

Descriptive phenomenology is a method of phenomenological research that was developed by Edmund Husserl. This method involves bracketing off all assumptions and preconceived notions about the world in order to focus on the immediate experience of the phenomenon being studied.

Central tenets of descriptive phenomenology:

• Bracketing: Bracketing is the process of setting aside all assumptions and preconceived notions about the world in order to focus on the immediate experience of the phenomenon being studied.
• Epoche: Epoche is a Greek word that means "suspension of judgment." In descriptive phenomenology, epoche refers to the suspension of all judgments about the reality or existence of the phenomenon being studied.
• Intentionality: Intentionality is the characteristic of consciousness to be directed towards something. In descriptive phenomenology, intentionality refers to the fact that consciousness is always directed towards some object or phenomenon.

Theorists/psychologists who developed descriptive phenomenology:

• Edmund Husserl
• Amedeo Giorgi
• Jean-Paul Sartre

Phenomenological Research Methods from Heidegger

Hermeneutic phenomenology

Hermeneutic phenomenology is a method of phenomenological research that was developed by Martin Heidegger. This method focuses on interpreting the meaning of the lived experience.

Central tenets of hermeneutic phenomenology:

• Dasein: Dasein is a German word that means "being there." In hermeneutic phenomenology, Dasein refers to the human being as a being-in-the-world.
• Interpretive understanding: Hermeneutic phenomenology is based on the idea that we understand the world and our experiences through interpretation.
• Fore-structure: Fore-structure is the term used to describe the pre-understanding that we bring to any new experience.

Theorists/psychologists who developed hermeneutic phenomenology:

• Martin Heidegger
• Amedeo Giorgi
• Jean-Paul Sartre

Contrast of Phenomenological Research Methods

The following table provides a contrast of the primary differences among the phenomenological research methods identified above:

Method that Allows the Best Understanding of Human Experience

I believe that the phenomenological research method that allows the best understanding of human experience is hermeneutic phenomenology. This is because