A phenomenological psychological study of decision and choice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of the experience of decision and choice making, with the use of an empirical phenomenological psychological method.A phenomenological psychological approach to research yields structural descriptions of phenomena. The results then describe the what and how of a specific phenomenon rather than the explanatory why. The raw data of this study consisted of written descriptions of the experience of making decision/choice followed up by interviews. Thirty students participated in this study. The essence of the experience of making a decision is a subjective determination of future realizable possibilities. Every decision relates to a plan or, to speak in the terminology used in this article, to a project. Four different types of projects were found in this study; situational, fundamental, conflicting and non-conflicting. Furthermore, a decision is supported by a motive. Two main types of decision were discovered: (1) Decision to appropriate (adopt) the project; (2) Decision to realize or reject the appropriated project. Finally, a distinction is made between decision and choice.