[The psychosomatic phenomenon--or the phenomenon of psychosomatic research]

In the present article the methods of empirical research are put up for discussion. As a methodological problem the reduction of the subject of research by the empirical approach is pointed out. From lack of consideration of this--inevitably--reductory effect an interpretation of the empirically obtainable data in the sense of a self-fulfilling prophecy may occur. The implication of the interdependence of research methods and results is demonstrated by an empirical study of the author's, wherein it is shown that the finding "alexithymia" as a component of the "psychosomatic phenomenon" is dependent upon the empirical approach.