PsychologySeptember 1, 2026

autoethnographic

AW-toh-eth-nuh-GRA-fik

Definition

A form of research or writing in which the author uses their own personal life experiences to reflect upon, analyze, and interpret broader cultural or social phenomena.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'autos' (self), 'ethnos' (people/nation), and 'grapho' (to write), the term signifies a method where the self is the primary subject of study within a cultural context.

In the news

The term is used in the article's references to describe a research study that relies on the author's personal experiences of migration and displacement to explain the psychological concept of cognitive immobility.

Coming Home From War: PTSD May Not Tell the Full Story

Read the full article ↗

Psychology Today

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