The Phenomenological Perspective

Phenomenology and cultural psychology show conceptual parallels and common historical points of reference. However, a complete and independent phenomenological cultural psychology does not yet exist. This chapter presents phenomenology in its philosophical and psychological orientation in both a historical and systematic context. Phenomenological psychology, in contrast to psychological phenomenology, is a genuinely psychological approach that is dedicated to the structure and constitution of experience. Thus, phenomenology can expand the foundations and methods of cultural psychology. An example is used to demonstrate how the interaction of both forms of research comes to fruition. The chapter concludes with a brief outlook on the necessity for methodological and systematic renewal of phenomenological psychology as a condition for a phenomenological cultural psychology.