Henley co-author of psychology text

A book co-written by an MSU associate professor of psychology ventures from the central focus of the field by using phenomenology-the first-person experience-as its basis.

Henley

Dr. Tracy B. Henley said psychology is the study of experience and the usual approach is as a third-person observer. His book, "The Phenomenology of Everyday Life," makes the first-person experience the central theme.

Co-authors are Dr. Howard R. Pollio of the University of Tennessee and Dr. Craig J. Thompson of the University of Wisconsin.

"A phenomenology contingent has been around forever," Henley said. "Our book describes and argues for that methodology based upon interviews and analysis for results. And, it presents a series of actual studies as examples."

Henley said the 410-page book isn't trying to replace scientific observation with phenomenology but to provide an additional perspective.

Published by Cambridge University Press of New York, "Phenomenology" is already in use as a text at other universities. At MSU, the text has been used for a graduate seminar and may be used for future classes.

Henley received his doctorate in psychology at the University of Tennessee. He joined the MSU faculty in 1991.