Stereotyping and Power Relations A Phenomenological Reflection

ABSTRACT

This research paper presents the use of phenomenology in critical reflection to elaborate on a lived experience. Phenomenology attempts to understand the ‘lived experience’ through the exploration of the underlying meaning of human behaviour. Answering questions such as how and why an experience is initially instigated and then engaged in are at the core of a phenomenological research. In this article, I reflect on a workplace experience and through phenomenology I expose issues such as stereotyping, power relations and ‘scapegoating’. It is also an attempt to understand phenomenology and how it is engaged in critical reflection to stimulate and support critical thinking and reflective learning.

KEYWORDS:

• Phenomenology
• stereotyping
• power relations
• higher education
• reflective practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Manale Khalil

Manale Khalil holds a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from Staffordshire University-UK. She has been a lecturer at several universities in Lebanon. Currently, she is  a lecturer at the Lebanese American University in Byblos, Lebanon. Her research interests include quality assurance in higher education, organisational behavior and Human resources management.