Understanding violence and aggression in the context of the 2015/16 student movement in South Africa. A psychological well-being perspective
Abstract
The 2015/16 student movement, known by campaign hashtags such as #RhodesMustFall, #BlackStudentMovement and #FeesMustFall, is currently being studied from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including historical, political and educational viewpoints, and for different purposes. A neglected angle is the psychology of violence and aggression that characterized the movement. On the one hand, the study of violence is often limited to the pathology associated with it and little consideration is given to the strengths and resources drawn on in the wake of the experience of violence by students, be it as witnesses, victims or perpetrators. On the other hand, psychological well-being research often focuses on the positives of life to the neglect of the 'dance of the positives and negatives'. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to contribute to theoretically and practically to social
cohesion and positive change by exploring individual experiences of violence and aggression during the 2015/16 student movement as well as the resources drawn upon by students to thrive amidst such experiences. The study uses action research methods to positively impact on the life of participants, empowering them to be able to articulate in a safe space their experiences and reflect on the resources they have drawn on and developed. This includes a combination of Photovoice workshops, individual indepth interviews and the World Caf?? method to gather data and empower participants. It culminates in a variety of scholarly knowledge outputs (conference presentations, articles, book chapter), photo exhibitions, a professional manual for student affairs practitioners, as well as artifacts and databases for further research. The findings of the study will not only serve the purpose of knowledge production, but also empower both students and student affairs in ameliorating the effects of violence.
