Descriptive psychology is a psychological framework developed by philosopher and psychologist Peter Ossorio. It focuses on understanding and describing the structure and function of psychological phenomena in a systematic and precise manner. Descriptive psychology seeks to provide a comprehensive and rigorous account of human experience, behavior, and mental processes without making assumptions about underlying causes or mechanisms.

Key features of descriptive psychology include:

1. Descriptive Framework: Descriptive psychology provides a descriptive framework for analyzing and understanding human behavior and experience. It emphasizes the objective description of psychological phenomena without resorting to theoretical explanations or interpretations. Instead of focusing on why people behave the way they do, descriptive psychology aims to describe what people do and how they do it.
2. Intentional Action: Descriptive psychology defines human behavior in terms of intentional action, which involves goal-directed behavior guided by personal motives and purposes. It distinguishes between different types of intentional action, such as practical actions aimed at achieving specific goals and communicative actions aimed at conveying meanings and intentions to others.
3. Act Analysis: Descriptive psychology employs act analysis as a method for describing and analyzing human behavior. Act analysis involves identifying and describing the components of intentional actions, including the actor (the person performing the action), the act (the behavior or action being performed), and the aim (the goal or purpose of the action). Act analysis allows for the systematic classification and description of different types of actions and behaviors.
4. Theoretical Neutrality: Descriptive psychology maintains theoretical neutrality by avoiding speculative theories or assumptions about underlying psychological mechanisms or causes. Instead, it focuses on providing an objective description of observable behavior and experience without making inferences about mental states, motives, or unconscious processes.
5. Semantic Framework: Descriptive psychology utilizes a semantic framework for analyzing and describing psychological concepts and categories. It emphasizes the importance of defining terms precisely and consistently to avoid ambiguity and confusion. Descriptive psychology seeks to develop clear and rigorous definitions of psychological concepts based on their observable features and properties.
6. Practical Applications: Descriptive psychology has practical applications in various fields, including psychology, education, counseling, and communication. It provides a systematic approach for describing and understanding human behavior and experience, which can inform interventions, assessments, and therapeutic techniques. Descriptive psychology can be applied to domains such as clinical psychology, organizational psychology, and interpersonal communication to enhance understanding and promote effective action.

Overall, descriptive psychology offers a systematic and rigorous approach to understanding human behavior and experience. By focusing on objective description and analysis, descriptive psychology provides a foundation for developing clear and precise conceptualizations of psychological phenomena and their practical applications in diverse settings.