Transformation through social action :|experiences of participants in new social movements

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of the participants during new social movements and the effects of their participation on their later lives in terms of transformative learning. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study to understand how their experiences shape their perspectives. Research data for this study was collected through a semi-structured interview guide which was developed and implemented by the researcher. 24 individuals are selected purposefully, and through snowball sampling technique from among people who actively participated in new social movements. In Vivo Coding was employed to analyze the findings of this study in addition to descriptive coding, simultaneous coding, and lastly pattern coding. The findings indicated that participating in new social movements brought about transformation in the consciousness levels of the participants, in their emotions and feelings, and in their behaviors and habits. The findings revealed that several participants needed to reformulate their old-established assumptions through critical reflection. The study indicated that many participants underwent a perspective transformation. Moreover, this study demonstrated that emotional-spiritual dimensions play a great role in learning experiences of the participants. Following the analysis of the data through the theoretical perspectives of Mezirow and Freire, we can claim that social movements might provoke transformative learning experiences, which may end in a process in which the individuals transform their ideas, beliefs, emotions, and actions.