verstehen (interpretive understanding)

Verstehen, a concept from social sciences, refers to the process of deeply understanding people's thoughts, feelings, and motives from their perspective. It involves interpreting their actions and words contextually, recognizing that human behavior is shaped by personal experiences, culture, and social background. Unlike just observing behavior, verstehen seeks to grasp the subjective meaning behind actions, aiming for an empathetic insight into why individuals do what they do. This approach helps researchers and social scientists better comprehend social phenomena by considering the personal and cultural contexts that influence human behavior.