Husserlian Descriptive Phenomenology: A review of intentionality, reduction and the natural attitude

Abstract

Background and aim: Descriptive phenomenology is widely used in social science research as a method to explore and describe the lived experience of individuals. It is a philosophy and a scientific method and has undertaken many variations as it has moved from the original European movement to include the American movement. The aim of this paper is to describe descriptive phenomenology in the tradition of Edmund Husserl. Integrative literature discussing the nature of descriptive phenomenology was used within this paper to elucidate the core fundamental principles of Husserlian descriptive phenomenology. Methods: This is a methodology paper that provides both an overview of the historical context and the development of descriptive phenomenology in the tradition of Husserl. Results and discussion: Descriptive phenomenology is explained from its historical underpinnings. The principles of the natural attitude, intentionality and the phenomenological reduction are described and using practical examples illustrate how each of these principles are applied within a research context. Conclusions: Understanding the key philosophical foundations of Husserlian descriptive phenomenology as a research method can be daunting to the uninitiated. This paper adds to the discussion around descriptive phenomenology and will assist and inform readers in understanding its key features as a research method.

Perception of physical health by patients with severe mental illness and their family caregivers: A qualitative study

“…A qualitative descriptive method following Husserlian phenomenology developed by Edmund Husserl was used in this study . Husserl emphasized that knowledge of experiences occurs within the consciousness of human beings .…”

“…A qualitative descriptive method following Husserlian phenomenology developed by Edmund Husserl was used in this study . Husserl emphasized that knowledge of experiences occurs within the consciousness of human beings . Using this approach, a phenomenon (event or experience) is described from the perspective of the individual, and it is a “comprehensive summary of an event in the everyday terms of those events” (p: 336).…”

“…16 Husserl emphasized that knowledge of experiences occurs within the consciousness of human beings. 16 Using this approach, a phenomenon (event or experience) is described from the perspective of the individual, and it is a "comprehensive summary of an event in the everyday terms of those events" 17 (p: 336). The rationale for using Husserlian phenomenology was to obtain a better understanding of the experiences of each patient and caregiver within their respective circumstances.…”

Experienced Pediatric Oncology Nurses Using Self-Reflective Practices in the Clinical Setting: A Phenomenological Investigation

“…Chapter 3 includes discussion on (a) phenomenological and natural attitudes (Christensen, Welch, & Barr, 2017;Husserl, 1931), including the researcher's subjective statements and the imaginative variations, (b) the methodology of choice, (c) methods for using TP, (d) research ethics, (e) the rigor and trustworthiness of the study, and (f) the research methods and design. In phenomenological research, articulating the phenomenological attitude is crucial.…”

“…I first considered their unique experiences (i.e., the natural attitude): The natural attitude is described as an experience that "occurs within the context of the world that individual is engaged with" (Christensen et al, 2017, p. 115). I then set my natural attitude (i.e., "standpoint") aside to try to view their world in a new way (Christensen et al, 2017). Using the phenomenological attitude does not imply personal experiences and emotions are detached from the overall research process (Moustakas, 1994;van Manen, 2014).…”