Reflection: A Socratic approach

Abstract

Reflection is a fuzzy concept. In this article we reveal the paradoxes involved in studying the nature of reflection. Whereas some scholars emphasize its discursive nature, we go further and underline its resemblance to the self-biased dialogue Socrates had with the slave in Plato’s Meno. The individual and internal nature of the reflection process creates difficulty for studying it validly and reliably. We focus on methodological issues and use Hans Linschoten’s view of coupled systems to identify, analyze, and interpret empirical research on reflection. We argue that researchers and research participants can take on roles in several possible system couplings. Depending on who controls the manipulation of the stimulus, who controls the measuring instrument, who interprets the measurement and the response, different types of research questions can be answered. We conclude that reflection may be validly studied by combining different couplings of experimenter, manipulation, stimulus, participant, measurement, and response.

Introduction: Examined Live – An Epistemological Exchange Between Philosophy and Cultural Psychology on Reflection

“…According to the review by Van Seggelen-Damen et al (2017), there are at least three different approaches toward reflection in contemporary psychology:…”

“…The question is complicated also by the fact that reflection has not only to do with thinking, but with all the psychic processes and even with action. This is why "reflection" is often referred to as a "fuzzy" term in psychology (Van Seggelen-Damen et al 2017). It can refer to self-perception, to meta-cognition, to emotion regulation, but also to self-efficacy and self-assessment (Dunning 2005).…”

A teaching–learning framework for adaptive instruction using cooperative learning and Socratic questioning to promote self-directed learning: A systematic literature review

“…Another strategy that often occurs individually (yet socially between teacher and student) is that of Socratic questioning (Nguyễn & Nguyễn 2017;Van Seggelen-Damen et al 2017). Four outputs made specific mention of the value of Socratic questioning.…”

Entanglement and the Relevance of Method in Qualitative Research

“…These other patterns such as personal and practice-based knowing can also enhance the integrity of scientific inquiry through deliberate use of methods, including self-reflection. A review of research into reflection (Van Seggelen-Damen, Van Hezewijk, Helsdingen, & Wopereis, 2017) revealed three different dimensions that engage nursing patterns of knowing and that are evident in Pool’s method of self-reflection. There is (a) self-awareness , which focuses on personal knowledge structures; (b) self-reference , concerning the self in relation to others (though more specific to reflexivity than self-reflection); and (c) self-inquiry , which involves questioning one’s underlying assumptions and biases.…”

“…While some may object that a process as personal or subjective as self-reflection can be adequately described in, say, 10 steps as Dr. Pool has done, I offer the counterargument that it is the very nature of nursing science that we study what is challenging, complex, and dynamic about human beings, including phenomena that are personal or subjective or “fuzzy” as reflection has been described (Van Seggelen-Damen et al, 2017). Consider, for instance, some of the fuzzy phenomena studied by nurses: spirituality, meaning-making, grieving, courage, and many other lived health-related experiences so relevant to human well-being and becoming.…”