Essay on Reflexive Embodied Empathy - 9936 Words

Paper for 2005 Methods issue #4 The Humanistic Psychologist ‘Reflexive embodied empathy’: a phenomenology of participant-researcher intersubjectivity By: Linda Finlay Acknowledgements: My grateful thanks go to Scott Churchill for reminding me to return to Husserl’s work on intersubjectivity to better anchor my concept of ‘reflexive embodied empathy’. I am also indebted to Maree Burns who first drew my attention to the idea of embodied reflexivity. Address for correspondence: 29 Blenheim Terrace, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, YO12 7HD Tel: + 44 1723 501833 Email: L.H.Finlay@open.ac.uk Abstract In this paper I’m advocating a research process which involves†¦show more content†¦I call this practice ‘reflexive embodied empathy’. To define and explicate this concept, I start by exploring some of the literature on empathy. There is an extensive empirical literature on empathy in the fields of neuroscience (see Thompson, 2001) and social psychology (see Davis, 1994). However, I confine my discussion here to the equally extensive (though sometimes overlooked) literature from phenomenology. Here, I draw on a range of theoretical ideas but the philosophical ideas of Husserl (1928/1989) on intersubjectivity and of Merleau-Ponty (1964/1968) on ‘embodiment as intertwining’ are particularly influential. While the focus in this literature review is on empathy, concepts related to embodiment and reflexivity are integral. The literature review is followed by an analysis of the concept of reflexive embodied empathy in practice. I use three examples of significant moments from various hermeneutic phenomenological research projects to demonstrate reflexive analysis of my own embodied, intersubjective relationships with participants. I characterize these moments of reflective involvement with the data as fluid, interpermeating ‘layers’ whereby different dimensions of experience are called to the fore. Three co-existing layers of reflexivity are described: †¢ connecting-of the Other’s embodiment to our own †¢ acting-into the Other’sShow MoreRelatedComplexity Science And Systems Thinking4544 Words   |  19 Pagesrelationships, and rejects the reductionist view that systems can be understood through the analysis of their individual parts, and instead examines the relational aspects to determine organizational patterns, predict systems behavior, and discover reflexive networks. In the figure below, Brian Castellani shows the history and intersections of complexity and systems in his interdisciplinary mapping of key figures and research areas in order to understand the overarching philosophies and applicationsRead MoreThe Independence Of Meta Cinema And Authorship4881 Words   |  20 PagesTruffaut, 1973) and 8 ? (Fellini, 1963). In order to demonstrate this, I will take in this chapter these two films together with Tout Va Bien (Godard and Gorin, 1972) as illustration. Determined by Bordwell as adversary to art cinema, the third reflexive work balances the discussion on the projection of auteurism in meta-cinema as an interrogating approach. All examples reflect the process of filmmaking and embody or question the auteurist concerns on directors? individuality and the uniqueness ofRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagescomprehensive texts in the field of organization studies. It takes the reader through different perspecti ves and various topics on management and organizing, discussing these in some depth and detail. It offers a historically grounded, critical-reflexive approach to studying organizations that will prove to be extremely helpful guidance to students. Dr Sierk Ybema, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands . Organization Theory Challenges and Perspectives John McAuley Faculty of Organization