Demonstration in Experimental Phenomenology

Abstract

This paper analyses the method of demonstration in experimental phenomenology. The theoretical basis of experimental phenomenology and meanings of demonstration in psychology are examined. The term `demonstration' in psychology typically means the presentation of concrete illustrations of facts generally to teach or to persuade scientifically, the reference to conclusive observational proof derived from theoretical arguments and opposition to the definition of experiment. The methodological inadequacies of these meanings for experimental phenomenology are illustrated. In experimental phenomenology the aim of the demonstration is to show the evidence for a law using a non-propositional argument. Two examples of demonstration from the studies of Wertheimer and Michotte are analysed.

Why Experimentum Crucis is Possible in Psychology of Perception

“…To the extent that physics, and all scientific disciplines that have a high degree of theoricity, are empirical, they require the immediate perception as assumption, in any case, even if the observation is very indirect; indeed, when scientific observation needs an instrument, the instrument still needs to be read (Sinico, 2012). As has been said, any physical theory is true only if all assumptions are true.…”

“…Differently, a reasonable comparison regards the classic experimental method, based on measurable or statistical values, against the experimental demonstration, based on the variation of the independent variable, to observe the effect on the dependent variable without measures (Sinico, 2008).…”

Phenomenal permanence, emotions, and animacy: The foggy tunnel and what experimental phenomenology anticipated about the brain.

“…Nevertheless, within the Experimental Phenomenology framework, this was the correct way to proceed (as very well discussed in Albertazzi, 2013;Sinico, 2008). By changing in a systematic way all the variables in play (such as the number and the rate of each step of luminance changes and the absolute and relative speed of the disc), the aim of the experimental study on the foggy tunnel was to find a clear description of the display where the object is perceived as (a) "permanent" or (b) "not permanent," or, in other studies, causal or non causal (as Michotte, 1950b), transparent or opaque (as Metelli, 1970) and so on.…”

Slow food versus fast food: A Zimbabwean case study of hotelier perspectives

“…Hermeneutic phenomenology is a particularly appropriate method for capturing subjective perspectives and lived experiences (Hegel, 1977; Ingram, 2002; Ironside et al, 2003; Jonsdottir, 1998; Knibbe and Versteeg, 2008; LeVasseur, 2003; Lopez and Willis, 2004; Murphy et al, 2009; Pernecky and Jamal, 2010; Racher and Robinson, 2003; Ross et al, 2007; Sherrod, 2006; Simpson, 2007; Sinico, 2008; Szarycz, 2009; Wilde, 2003; Wojnar and Swanson, 2007). However, only a few hospitality researchers have adopted this methodology (Ingram, 2002).…”