A phenomenological psychology is considered a discipline that studies the relationship between empirical and transcendental consciousness. It is a method that uses phenomenology to assist in the practices of psychology.

It understands the human being as the protagonist of his own life, and that each life experience is unique. In this way, even if a person has a similar experience, it is not the same phenomenon. This happens because there is a first-person view of the events.

Merging psychology with philosophy, the phenomenological theory view addresses existentialist and consciousness issues, and is a way to make us take charge of our own existence.

What is phenomenological psychology

Phenomenological psychology concentrates various studies and approaches to phenomena that occur and interfere in our lives. direct approach of the individual.

This discipline arose when scholars and thinkers were somewhat dissatisfied with Freud's theories. It is a study that proposes that each of us feels the world differently.

In this sense, this branch of psychology understands that no matter how much we may have similar experiences with other people, there is no relationship. It is not the same. Our way of experiencing phenomena is unique.

Phenomenology and psychology

Phenomenology studies things the way they are arise or manifest themselves Its application in psychology considers the experience that the individual has.

Thus, the phenomenological psychology approach seeks to show that:

• Scientific approaches are directly connected to the individual's way of being;
• there is no need to use a naturalistic approach;
• the individual is the protagonist of his or her own life.

In this way, we are understood to be our own agents, that is, we are the ones who make it happen That is why one life experience will never be the same as another, even though they may seem similar.

Empirical Consciousness x Phenomenology

Empirical consciousness deals with people who respond to stimuli at the exact moment they experience it. Empirical consciousness does not require scientific proof. It is the famous "common sense".

With this, it is enough that the collective narrates a generalized experience. This ends up making it something real, even if science does not provide proof. Thus, phenomenology seeks understanding the individual through his own experience, without the collective as a determinant .

And, for this reason, phenomenological psychology seeks to separate the events. Something can happen to a group, but the experience will be different for each one. Because each life is different, each point of view is unique even if the experience is common to all.

Transcendental Consciousness

Transcendental thinking comes from inner experiences, whether mental or spiritual. Transcendentalism has its origins with the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, during the 18th century.

For Kant, all our consciousness is transcendental because it is not attached to an object It develops from layers of our mind.

Thus, some characteristics of transcendentalist thought present in phenomenology are:

• Respect intuition.
• Avoid influences.
• Sociability.
• Admitting that the senses have limits.
• Each one of us is original.

One of the main branches of psychology

A phenomenological psychology is considered one of the three main strands of psychology, along with psychoanalysis and behavioral psychology. It is also the most complex strand of psychology.

It seeks to reflect on the reality in which the person is inserted. It works with the experience, with the individual's experience, that is, how the person's reality influences the phenomenon. That is why it is the area of psychology that comes closest to science.

This is because phenomenological psychology seeks evidence of the phenomenon and its impact on the person's life. Through this direct analysis if you understand the meaning of the phenomenon and develops reasoning about the issue.

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Principles of phenomenological psychology

Phenomenology approaches matters from the first-person point of view. This is when we are able to sort out the difference between reason and experience. It excludes scientific explanations, the origin of the explanation being the event itself.

What we observe gains meaning when we direct a certain intention to it. Or, something only exists when we attribute some meaning to it. In this way, we seek understand the meaning of the object and not only its veracity .

In psychology, phenomenology tries to understand the context in which the person is inserted. In addition, it seeks to understand how the person understands and sees the environment around him/her and what is the importance and significance of the phenomena in his/her life.

Authors of phenomenological psychology

Phenomenological psychology has received the contribution of several authors throughout the history of its development. Below, we have selected some of the main names:

• Franz Bentrano (1838 - 1917)
• Edmund Husserl (1859 - 1938)
• Martin Heidegger (1889 - 1976)
• Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 - 1980)
• Jan Hendrik Berg (1914 - 2012)
• Amedeo Giorgi (1931 - nowadays)
• Emmy van Deurzen (1951 - currently)
• Carla Willig (1964 - currently)
• Natalie Depraz (1964 - currently)

Phenomenological psychology in our life

The phenomenological view in our lives can bring a more rational view to issues and problems. We begin to see things for their meaning and importance rather than for the thing itself. Not because of the truthfulness of what happens, but because of the importance we give to what happens.

Sometimes we give too much importance to something that doesn't require so much attention, and this consumes us and can do a lot of harm to our inner self.

The psychological approach makes us reflect in a less existentialist way, and to have a more analytical and direct position about things. Thus, we leave the deep analysis to work more on the meaning and importance we give to something.

Conclusion

Phenomenological psychology makes us reflect on our lives from a completely different viewpoint. This means that we are tested to get out of our comfort zone and face our lives as real protagonists, we live for ourselves and not for others .

In this way, by looking at events from a different perspective, we find solutions and ways out of issues that seem insoluble. We need to be open to seeing things without letting our opinions influence them.

Open your mind and expand your horizons! Therapy can be a way out of a tiring routine. Or represent the organization you can't get. Give other perspectives a chance and achieve inner peace!

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If you found this subject interesting and want to know more about how psychoanalysis and phenomenological psychology Deepen your knowledge and understand more aspects of yourself and help others! Transform your points of view, help people around you and expand your world vision!

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