Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Method

Introduction to Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Method

Origins of Phenomenology

Phenomenology as a distinct philosophy began with Edmund Husserl's publication of Logical Investigations (1900/1970). Husserl's work influenced numerous philosophers in the 20th century's continental tradition including Heidegger (1927/1962), Merleau-Ponty (1945/1962), and Sartre (1943/1956). Despite this, much of the attention and influence shifted towards their thoughts while Husserl's contributions were often overlooked, as noted by MacDonald (2001). For comprehensive insights into the history of philosophical phenomenology, the reader is referred to Spiegelberg (1982).

American Phenomenological Movement in Psychology

In the 1930s, a grassroots American phenomenological movement initiated by Snygg (1935), particularly the collaboration with Combs (1949), emerged in psychology. Unlike the continental tradition, this effort lacked direct philosophical influence from continental phenomenology. Here, phenomenology is characterized as "from the point of view of the behaving organism itself" (Snygg, 1941, p. 406). The key contributions of this movement are compiled in a book edited by Kuenzli (1959), featuring chapters from significant figures such as Snygg, Combs, Rogers, and MacLeod. Notably, none of the chapters reference major continental philosophers, and a phenomenological method in psychology is not clearly articulated, merely described in terms of a 'perspective' or 'approach.'

Philosophers’ Engagement with Psychology

Major continental philosophers like Husserl believed that phenomenological philosophy could benefit psychology. In summer 1925, Husserl taught phenomenological psychology, arguing that this approach would clarify fundamental psychological concepts for consistent application. Merleau-Ponty extensively discussed the relationship between phenomenology and psychology, providing valuable insights into eidetic reduction and intuition in relation to empirical induction. However, these analyses lacked practical applications of the phenomenological method.

Sartre's early works claimed benefits of phenomenology for psychology through critiques of traditional assumptions, arguing for a more accurate interrogation of experiential worlds than offered by positivistic or logical empiricism. Still, Sartre's process remained unspecified, focusing more on outcomes than methods.

Transformation of Psychology through Phenomenology

The chapter’s authors assert that a rigorous interpretation of the phenomenological method suitable for psychology must be developed, highlighting contributions from Amedeo Giorgi (1985). The senior author experienced a lack of explicit methods in American phenomenological psychology, compelling him to develop his methods after joining an existential-phenomenological psychology department in the early 1960s.

The Phenomenological Method in Scientific Context

Foundations of Husserl's Method

Husserl’s phenomenological method, introduced in Ideas I (1913/1983), comprises three steps:

  1. Phenomenological Reduction: The researcher adopts a phenomenological attitude, which entails a transcendental reduction focusing on consciousness as universal rather than exclusively human.

  2. Imaginative Variation: The researcher determines the essence of the object being studied through imaginative variation.

  3. Description: Ultimately, the invariant aspects or essence of the experience are described.

Misunderstandings of the Reduction

There is confusion regarding the phenomenological reduction as Husserl elaborated on multiple reductions. The chapter clarifies two primary reductions:

  • Transcendental Reduction: This reduction requires looking at consciousness as belonging to any consciousness, abstracting from human experience to seek universality.

  • Scientific Phenomenological Reduction: In this scientific application, researchers take objects or states of affairs as they present themselves but without affirming their existential status—understanding them as phenomena without asserting their existence in the same manner as everyday experience.

Free Imaginative Variation

As an example, the essence of an object, like a cup, is determined through imaginative variation, which requires changing various dimensions to identify what is essential to the experience of the object. For instance, the color or material of a cup can change without affecting its 'cupness,' while the need for nonporous materials proves to be essential.

Application in Psychology

In adapting the phenomenological method for psychological research, existential-phenomenological researchers begin by analyzing experiences from participants rather than their own, thus avoiding potential bias and enhancing validity. The participants’ descriptions form the data, which are scrutinized through phenomenological reduction and imaginative variation before being categorized into essential structures.

Specific Procedures of the Descriptive Phenomenological Method

The method involves several meticulous steps:

  1. Reading for a Sense of the Whole: The researcher reads and comprehensively understands participants’ experiences in a holistic manner, ensuring familiarity with all details before analysis.

  2. Establishing Meaning Units: Researchers discern meaning units during a second reading, marking transitions in meaning for focused analysis.

  3. Transformation of Meaning Units: Meaning units are refined into psychologically sensitive expressions that reflect the participants' lived meanings, avoiding theoretical jargon.

  4. Description of Psychological Structures: The overarching psychological structure of the phenomenon is established through imaginative variation on transformed meaning units, leading to a rich understanding of the experience.

Example of Phenomenological Analysis

An illustrative example is provided from the thesis of Sorenson-Englander (2000) on internalized homophobia experienced by homosexual men, showcasing participant interviews and the analytical steps derived from descriptive phenomenological methods.

Conclusion

The descriptive phenomenological method emphasizes both systematic and systematic knowledge acquisition through careful reduction procedures and immersions into subjective experiences, thus evolving psychological insights from participant-experienced phenomena.

  1. Epoche’: In phenomenological philosophy, the epoche’ refers to the suspension of judgment regarding the existence of the external world. This means that researchers must put aside preconceived notions and biases to engage fully with the subjective experiences of participants. In the practice of phenomenological research, this requires researchers to adopt a neutral stance, thereby allowing the phenomena to present themselves authentically without the influence of prior beliefs or theories.

  2. Intentionality: Intentionality is a key concept in phenomenology, indicating that consciousness is always directed toward something; it is the relationship between consciousness and the objects of experience. In research, focusing on intentionality means that researchers must explore how participants experience and perceive their world, capturing the essence of those experiences. This involves delving into how individuals intend meanings and how those meanings shape their lived experiences in a specific context.

  3. Structural Results: Positing structural results refers to the need for phenomenological research to identify and articulate the essential structures of experience. This means that after collecting and analyzing participants' descriptions, researchers must define what is universally true across these experiences—what remains constant despite variable individual perspectives. In practice, this might include developing rich descriptions of the psychological structures that underpin lived experiences, ultimately leading to insights that can inform theory or practice in psychology.

The embodiment of these philosophical principles in phenomenological research stems from the systematic application of methods such as phenomenological reduction, imaginative variation, and careful description. Researchers engage deeply with participants’ narratives, maintain a reflexive awareness about their biases, and concentrate on the meanings expressed by participants to ensure that the results reflect the lived experiences accurately. This process not only honors the participants' subjective realities but also contributes to a structured understanding of psychological phenomena.