Demonstration in Experimental Phenomenology How to Bring out Perceptual Laws

This paper analyses the method of demonstration in experimental phenomenology. The theoretical basis of experimental henomenology and meanings of demonstration in psychology are examined. The term 'demonstration' in psychology typically means the presentation of concrete illustrations of facts generally to teach or to persuade scientifically, the reference to conclusive observational proof derived from theoretical arguments and opposition to the definition of experiment. The methodological inadequacies of these meanings for experimental phenomenology are illustrated. In experimental phenomenology the aim of the demonstration is to show the evidence for a law using a non- propositional argument. Two examples of demonstration from the studies of Wertheimer and Michotte are analysed.