Phenomenology in nursing studies: New perspectives.
D. Zahavi, K. Martiny
International Journal of Nursing Studies May 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.01.014 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key points | Argues that John Paley's criticism of phenomenology in nursing research ignores a long tradition of applied phenomenology, and that nursing scholars should consider applications from phenomenological psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. |
Abstract
Nursing studies have for decades drawn on the philosophical tradition of phenomenology when developing their own methodology and theoretical foundation. This use and application of phenomenology has, however, not been met with universal approval. One prominent and persistent opponent has been John Paley, who has sent a clear message to the nursing community: If you are looking for philosophical inspiration or methodological guidance, do not look to phenomenology. As we argue in the article, in formulating his criticism, Paley completely overlooks a rich tradition of applied phenomenology that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and which has undergone a momentous revival during the last 20-25 years. That Paley seems oblivious to this tradition is one thing. What is more astonishing is that this also holds true for the vast majority of those scholars working within nursing science who happens to be interested in phenomenology. The aim of this article is, first, to present and consider Paley's criticism in some detail and, then, to discuss some of the significant applications of phenomenology that have often been overlooked by qualitative researchers. As has been amply demonstrated over the years, phenomenology can not only make a difference in the handling, analysis, and interpretation of the available data, but also, in how the data are obtained in the first place, for instance, through special interview techniques. We will consider some central figures in classical phenomenological psychology and phenomenological psychiatry, and present some of the more recent developments in cognitive science. We will then discuss three concrete cases that demonstrate how phenomenology has been applied in clinical work with patients with schizophrenia, cerebral palsy, and hemispatial neglect. Our main message to qualitative researchers interested in phenomenology is the following. You should also start to consider and draw inspiration from the way in which phenomenology has been applied outside of the domain of qualitative research. There are quite successful applications of phenomenology to be found elsewhere, applications that can offer substantial theoretical and methodological support to qualitative researchers. Relevant resources include classical phenomenological psychology, classical and contemporary phenomenological psychiatry, and contemporary discussions of naturalized phenomenology.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on philosophy of mind, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychosis as a state of aberrant salience: a framework linking biology, phenomenology, and pharmacology in schizophrenia. | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From dopamine to salience to psychosis--linking biology, pharmacology and phenomenology of psychosis. | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How do the brain's time and space mediate consciousness and its different dimensions? Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The phenomenology of deep brain stimulation-induced changes in OCD: an enactive affordance-based model. | 2013 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
- Investigating modes of being in the world: an introduction to Phenomenologically grounded qualitative research Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences February 16, 2021
- Framing a Phenomenological Mixed Method: From Inspiration to Guidance Frontiers in Psychology March 3, 2021
- Can we trust the phenomenological interview? Metaphysical, epistemological, and methodological objections Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences July 10, 2021
- Phenomenological Research Needs to be Renewed: Time to Integrate Enactivism as a Flexible Resource International Journal of Qualitative Methods 2021
- Editorial: Working with others’ experience Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences December 19, 2022
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Cites 6
- Guiding the study of brain dynamics by using first-person data: Synchrony patterns correlate with ongoing conscious states during a simple visual task Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 22, 2002
- Applied phenomenology: why it is safe to ignore the epoché Continental Philosophy Review April 9, 2019
- Examination of anomalous self-experience in first-episode psychosis: interrater reliability. Psychopathology August 17, 2011
- The Phenomenological Mind December 22, 2007
- Describing one’s subjective experience in the second person: An interview method for the science of consciousness November 29, 2006
and 1 more in the library