Longitudinal qualitative studies and the reflexive self

Critical moments and second-chance education constructing socially excluded women’s stories of career success

“…The critical moment had, therefore, commenced crystallising the participants' thinking about their careers before the study was conducted, so they had previously started to exercise agency, a crucial component in the conceptualisation of the contemporary career, before they were interviewed. Second, the experience garnered from similar research (Holland and Thomson 2009;Plumridge and Thomson 2003;Thomson et al 2002Thomson et al , 2004 points towards the shortcomings of one-off narratives, as there is a threshold to what can be revealed. It is recognised, therefore, that this research requires a more detailed study over a longer timeframe.…”

“…A critical moment (Thomson et al 2002(Thomson et al , 2004) is a particular category of change event, one that involves unplanned and unanticipated experiences around that pivotal decisions revolve (Webster and Mertova 2007). Experiencing a critical moment may have a profound effect, potentially altering a person's meaning structure, thus having implications for identity (re)construction, including career identity (Holland and Thomson 2009;Plumridge and Thomson 2003;Thomson et al 2002Thomson et al , 2004. Undergoing a critical moment may trigger individuals to re-assess their career and education/training experiences (Thomson et al 2002(Thomson et al , 2004, possibly encouraging them to participate on a scheme to (re)enter the active labour market and/or engage in additional education/training (Brandsma 2003).…”

Late Modernity, Individualization and Socialism

“…(Savage 2000:105) Bourdieu's theory of social practice is a common influence here, particularly the way in which certain fields require the development of a habitus, itself determined by a reflexive identification or disidentification with others and ideas (Bourdieu 1984, Adams 2006. Consequently, reflexivity, as 'an emotional, embodied and cognitive process in which social actors have feelings about and try to understand and alter their lives in relation to their social and natural environment and to others' (Holmes 2010:140), is culturally (Adams 2003); temporally (Jackson 2010); morally (Yeatman 2007); and spatially (Adkins 2000) situated within categories of class (Plumridge andThomson 2003, Nollmann andStrasser 2007); gender (Skelton 2005); and life course (Dickens 1999, Heaphy andYip 2003). The effects of this on political individualization are multi-faceted.…”

Shame and resilience among Pakeha New Zealanders

“…This finding fits with the conclusion that shame can be felt as a result of judgements that target one's identity. Plumridge and Thomson (2003) investigated shame among female sex workers in New Zealand, concluding that shame was a key to motivation that was often felt when the adequacy of a woman's story, or explanation for her life choices, was called into question. This relates shame to judgment from others that threatens the security of one's relationships.…”

“…Plumridge and Thomson (2003) conducted a local study aimed at uncovering reflexive understandings of the self among female New Zealand sex workers. In their analysis, these researchers explored shame as it appeared in the discourses of the research.…”