Phenomenological and Social Constructionist Theory

Who is generally credited with establishing the phenomenological perspective?

• Harold Garfinkle

• Alfred Schutz

• Edmund Husserl

• Auguste Comte

Answer explanation

That's right, Husserl is credited as the founder of this perspective (pg. 347). He thought the objective nature of the empirical approach lacked an ability to fully capture the nuances of individual reality.

The phenomenological and social constructive perspectives prioritize the subjective experience over an objective reality.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Excellent. If you get nothing else out of this chapter, know that all of the theories are promoting an appreciation for unique, individualized experiences as everyday life.

Examples of therapeutic approaches consistent with the phenomenological and social constructionist perspectives could include which of the following (select all that apply):

• Storytelling

• Solution-Focused Therapy

• Deconstructive Listening

• Externalizing the Problem

• Tracking Solution Behaviors

Answer explanation

Great work! All of these are correct answers (pg. 361) and examples of approaches based on this perspective.

A phenomenological perspective views behavior as all of the following except:

• Rational

• Active

• Creative

• Irresolute

Answer explanation

Another word not listed is purposeful (pg. 364) and its opposite is irresolute. If we accept the tenet that this perspective sees human behavior as active, rational, and creative - irresolute is contrary to these aspects of one's self-determination.

A limitation of the traditional phenomenological perspective is that it does not include concepts that promote social justice or social change.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Yep, you got it (pg. 364)! In and of itself, the original theory was designed to understand behavior by delving into one's experience of it. However, later reformulations began to address this issue mainly by bringing it to light.

Phenomenology and Social Construction theories are best suited for (select all that apply):

• Prediction

• Explanation

• Probability

• Deterministic

Answer explanation

Great work here. Because these theories are in support of a relativist perspective they certainly cannot be consistent with "predicting" anything but they can explain quite a bit. As such, lack of prediction also means a lack of determinism in regards to explaining human behavior (see handout, 6 Critical Analyses).

What are common sense constructs that we gain through socialization that help us use typical actions for typical situations in daily life.

• Second-order Processes

• First-order Processes

• Typifications

• Intentionality

Answer explanation

You found it (pg. 349)! These are the daily interactions we often do on 'automatic pilot' in our day to day. For example, passing someone in the morning with a customary greeting. Another example could be walking into a grocery store you've never visited but you know what to expect based on your experience in other grocery stores.

Who is credited with believing: "TRUTH is simply an effect of the rules of DISCOURSE or POWER RELATIONS that create and constitute a particular form of life"

• Alfred Shultz

• Michel Foucault

• Peter Berger

• Harold Garfinkle

Answer explanation

Yes!! Foucault is the correct answer (pg. 354). His contribution to this tradition was to examine the ways in which language is used as a power tool. Think about the various ways language has been used to galvanize the masses for good and not so good reasons.

This word refers to when one "sets aside the idea that the real world is naturally ordered."

• Bracketing

• Intentionality

• Breaching

• Critical Realism

Answer explanation

Well done, a practitioner/researcher who practices bracketing because he or she wants to be able to effectively examine all aspects of reality without the "spilling of ourselves" into the mix (pg. 348). Bracketing is an attempt to allow oneself to question everything that is often taken for granted.

Who is first credited with establishing the positivist tradition as an objective means for knowledge acquisition in the early 19th century?

• Ludwig Wittgenstein

• Auguste Comte

• John Stuart Mill

• Alfred Schutz

Answer explanation

Great work! Hopefully, you remember this name from previous classes. Auguste Comte (pg. 346) is the person credited for the positivist tradition - this tradition is what gives us the scientific method.