Kyokan
Encyclopedia
Kyokan is a Japanese
word that means "feel-one". It is a concept
forwarded by Masao Kawai as a means of studying primate
s in the field. It first appeared to Western
primatologists in Kawai’s book Life of Japanese Monkeys (1969).
The kyokan method is a very subjective
and empathic form of research. It involves feelings of mutual relationship, attachment and shared experience between both the researcher and their subject.
In Kawai’s own words; "By positively entering the group, by making contact on some level, objectivity can be established. It is on this basis that the experimental method can be introduced into natural behaviour study and which makes scientific analysis possible". His use of the term kyokan seems to be somewhat unique amongst his peers in Japan
ese primatology
, but the underlying principles are part of the foundation of the Japanese discipline in the field.
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
word that means "feel-one". It is a concept
Concept
The word concept is used in ordinary language as well as in almost all academic disciplines. Particularly in philosophy, psychology and cognitive sciences the term is much used and much discussed. WordNet defines concept: "conception, construct ". However, the meaning of the term concept is much...
forwarded by Masao Kawai as a means of studying primate
Primate
A primate is a mammal of the order Primates , which contains prosimians and simians. Primates arose from ancestors that lived in the trees of tropical forests; many primate characteristics represent adaptations to life in this challenging three-dimensional environment...
s in the field. It first appeared to Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
primatologists in Kawai’s book Life of Japanese Monkeys (1969).
The kyokan method is a very subjective
Subjectivity
Subjectivity refers to the subject and his or her perspective, feelings, beliefs, and desires. In philosophy, the term is usually contrasted with objectivity.-Qualia:...
and empathic form of research. It involves feelings of mutual relationship, attachment and shared experience between both the researcher and their subject.
In Kawai’s own words; "By positively entering the group, by making contact on some level, objectivity can be established. It is on this basis that the experimental method can be introduced into natural behaviour study and which makes scientific analysis possible". His use of the term kyokan seems to be somewhat unique amongst his peers in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese primatology
Primatology
Primatology is the scientific study of primates. It is a diverse discipline and researchers can be found in academic departments of anatomy, anthropology, biology, medicine, psychology, veterinary sciences and zoology, as well as in animal sanctuaries, biomedical research facilities, museums and zoos...
, but the underlying principles are part of the foundation of the Japanese discipline in the field.