A grounded theory study of the psychological and social processes apparent in the lives of contemporary 16-18 year olds

Cogan, Owen 2020. A grounded theory study of the psychological and social processes apparent in the lives of contemporary 16-18 year olds. DEdPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis is divided into three sections: an empirical paper, a literature review and discussion and a critical appraisal. Part one, the empirical paper, reports on the use of a grounded theory methodology to investigate possible social-psychological processes apparent within the lives of contemporary 16-18 year-olds. The researcher makes use of sensitizing concepts gained from a reading of the British Psychological Society’s ‘Power, Threat, Meaning Framework’ and of Erikson’s theory of adolescent psychosocial development, to inform the research design. The ‘grounded theory’ formulated from the research process posits a novel social-psychological mechanism (labelled ‘defensive mentalizing’) by which the adolescent participants in the study appear to critique the motivation and ‘intentional state’ of others in order (perhaps) to undermine the significance of perceived negative appraisal. The conclusions of this research project are discussed with reference to implications for the practise of Educational Psychology and future research. Part two, the literature review, is divided into two parts: division one makes use of theoretical literature, an engagement with this literature allows the researcher to more fully lay out the developing theory whilst also challenging its logic and explanatory power. Division one, explores theories concerning how human beings relate to themselves and how this relating is inherently tied up with how they relate to others. It makes use of some of the logical and conceptual apparatus of social comparison theory, the theories of cognitive dissonance, fundamental attribution bias and Mead’s theory of ‘The I and the Me’, to support and extend the emergent theory of ‘defensive mentalizing’. A discussion of two examples of a type of negative case analysis is included in this section of the literature review. The second division of the literature review deals with the more empirical research literature surrounding adolescent development, social status and ‘social pain’. This part of the literature review explores points of convergence and divergence between the emergent theory and research investigating adolescent sociality. It is used to suggest that, in support of the emergent theory, seeking peer affiliation and peer acceptance and avoiding social isolation, low social status and corresponding ‘social pain’, are significant motivating/influencing factors in respect to adolescent behaviour/state of mind. Part three, the critical appraisal, offers a reflexive and reflective account of the research process. It includes reflections upon the philosophical and methodological decisions taken throughout the research process and an attempt to outline both the benefits and drawbacks entailed in such decisions. It also explores difficulties encountered and how they were overcome. Finally it considers limitations of the research and the implications of the research findings for: future research; the field and practice of Educational Psychology and the researchers own personal practice as a Trainee Psychologist.

Item Type:	Thesis (DEdPsy)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 September 2020
Last Modified:	25 May 2021 01:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/134952

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