Phenomenology

What is phenomenology?

an interpretivist perspective developed by Husserl that sees the social world as a product of the human mind

What do phenomenologists study?

how people experience social life and organise their experiences into social categories known as phenomena

What are phenomena?

social categories that group things together because they are believed to share certain characteristics

What does reality being socially constructed mean?

nothing has meaning until people give it meaning through interpretation

What did Schutz argue about the categories and concepts we use?

they are shared with others rather than being unique to each individual

What are typifications?

shared ways of classifying and understanding the world that help people make sense of social life (Schutz)

How does social context affect the meaning of actions according to Schutz?

the meaning of an action depends on the situation in which it occurs (e.g., raising an arm has different meanings in a classroom and at an auction)

Why are typifications important?

they stabilise meanings and allow people to communicate, cooperate and, work together (Schutz)

What assumptions do members of society share according to Schutz?

• how the world works

• what situations mean

• what other people's intentions are

What is common sense knowledge according to Schutz?

shared knowledge that is not just about the world but actually constitutes the world people live in

What is the natural attitude?

the taken for granted reality created by shared typifications that people accept without questioning (Schutz)

How did Taylor criticise Durkheim's study of suicide?

he argued that suicide statistics reflect social meanings rather than objective facts (Taylor)

How did Taylor argue suicide should be studied?

by understanding the meanings and intentions individuals attach to their actions (Taylor)

What is submissive suicide (Taylor)?

escaping life because it is viewed as hopeless or inevitable (e.g., due to terminal illness)

What is thanatation suicide (Taylor)?

risk taking behaviour where death is possible but not certain (e.g., dangerous stunts)

What is sacrifice suicide (Taylor)?

ending one's life to help or save others (e.g., a soldier jumping on a grenade)

What is ordinary suicide (Taylor)?

an attempt to send a message with an expectation of survival, though death may occur unexpectedly

What is Taylor's overall view of suicide?

suicide is shaped by the personal meanings individuals attach to it rather than simply by social forces