Phenomenologıcal Study On Mıddle School Students' Experıences Of Exposure To Prejudıce, Stereotypes, And Dıscrımınatıon


Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Türkçe Ve Sosyal Bilimler Eğitimi Anabilim Dalı, Turkey

Approval Date: 2019

Thesis Language: Turkish

Student: ONUR GÜLERYÜZ

Supervisor: Bahadır Kılcan

Abstract:

Although it is known that prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination reduce individuals' self-esteem and quality of life, their impact on middle school students is not fully understood. The aim of this study is to reveal the meaning, structure, and nature of middle school students' experiences of exposure to prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. The study used phenomenological design, which is a qualitative research design. The participants were determined through maximum variation and criterion sampling, which are purposive sampling strategies. The participants of the study are 12 seventh and eighth grade students attending two different public schools in Mamak district of Ankara province. Research data were collected through semi-structured interview method. A total of 24 in-depth interviews were conducted, with each participant interviewed twice. The data were analyzed through phenomenological analysis including bracketing, listing key expressions, developing meaning sets, textural description, structural description, and revealing essences. The study found that (1) self-esteem and self-confidence of students exposed to prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination were harmed; (2) their academic motivation decreased; (3) they developed sympathy for the internal group and antipathy for the external group; and (4) they were in quest of equality and justice.

Key Words : Middle school students, prejudice, stereotype, discrimination