https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167818820465
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
1–19
© The Author(s) 2018
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DOI: 10.1177/0022167818820465
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Special Issue: Radical Humanism, Critical Consciousness, and Social Change
Harnessing
Phenomenological
Research to Facilitate
Conscientização About
Oppressive Lived
Experience
Nisha Gupta
1
Abstract
This article illustrates how liberation psychology and phenomenological
research can work in tandem to raise conscientização (critical consciousness)
about unjust societal dynamics, mourn sociopolitical community traumas,
and construct empathic bridges among diverse citizens of society. It outlines
three ways in which phenomenological researchers can harness their
methodologies as an emancipatory tool for oppressed communities. First,
I discuss how Steen Halling’s dialogal phenomenological method can build
public homeplaces in which members of marginalized communities can gather
together to share and gain insight into their oppressed lived experiences.
Second, I discuss how Max Van Manen’s existential-phenomenological data
interpretation can nurture solidarity among the oppressed and oppressors
and demonstrate the ways in which institutionalized oppression dehumanizes
all citizens. Third, I encourage phenomenological researchers to disseminate
research in artistic formats to evoke compassionate witness among citizen
bystanders about oppressive lived experiences. The article concludes
by positing that Paulo Freire’s process of emancipation is, essentially, a
phenomenological endeavor.
1
University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA, USA
Corresponding Author:
Nisha Gupta, University of West Georgia, Melson Hall, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA
30118, USA.
Email: ngupta@westga.edu
820465JHP XX X 10.1177/0022167818820465Journal of Humanistic PsychologyGupta
research-article 2018