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The experience of attaining respect in the face of differences

University of British Columbia

This study to examines the experience of attaining respect in the face of differences through the eyes of eight North American Caucasian members of the helping professions. A hermeneutic- phenomenological, multiple case study design using an interview guide approach was the methodology chosen to describe the co-researchers' experience of respect — what it is, and how to attain respect when it is lost. During audio-taped interviews, the coresearchers related stories of times when they had to struggle to be respectful. After relating the stories they were asked for their thoughts on the meaning of respect. The analysis revealed a six step non-linear process of becoming respectful. The themes involved in the process are the trigger event, the reaction, stopping the reaction, shift in focus to examine one's self, acceptance of self, looking again at the other, acceptance of the other and the outcome behaviour. Intrinsically involved in the process were concepts of identity, self respect, boundaries, context, and expectations. These themes were simultaneously foundational and integral to the process themes. The study compares the philosophical definitions of respect, Rogers' concept of unconditional positive regard the co-researchers' conceptions of respect and their lived experience finding a core consensus.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-03-25

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6483

Counselling Psychology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace