Restructuring Attentionality and Intentionality

P. Sven Arvidson

doi:10.1007/s10746-012-9250-0

Human Studies

May 2013, Volume 36, Issue 2, pp 199–216

Restructuring Attentionality and Intentionality

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P. Sven ArvidsonEmail author

Theoretical / Philosophical Paper

First Online:: 13 September 2012

DOI: 10.1007/s10746-012-9250-0

Cite this article as:: Arvidson, P.S. Hum Stud (2013) 36: 199. doi:10.1007/s10746-012-9250-0

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Abstract

Phenomenology and experimental psychology have been largely interested in the same thing when it comes to attention. By building on the work of Aron Gurwitsch, especially his ideas of attention and restructuration, this paper attempts to articulate common ground in psychology and phenomenology of attention through discussion of a new way to think about multistability in some phenomena. What psychology views as an attentionality-intentionality phenomenon, phenomenology views as an intentionality-attentionality phenomenon. The proposal is that an awareness of this restructuring of attentionality and intentionality can benefit both approaches to attention. After reviewing Husserl’s position on attentionality and intentionality, this paper examines multistable phenomena, redefines the attentional transformation called restructuring, discusses disciplinary perspectives on attention and gives an example using common ground.

Keywords

Attention Intentionality Gurwitsch Husserl Gestalt Index Multistable phenomena

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P. Sven Arvidson
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1.Department of PhilosophySeattle UniversitySeattleUSA

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