Shared and Different Understandings of Violence

Abstract

Chapter 1 outlined the design and use of vignettes to explore young people’s and staff’s understanding of violence. In qualitative research vignettes have been increasingly employed to explore cultural norms derived from participants’ attitudes to, and beliefs about, a specific situation. They also highlight ethical frameworks and moral codes. The most obvious criticism of this technique concerns the difference between belief and action; what people believe they would do in a given situation is not necessarily how they would actually behave. However, some writers have argued for a different theoretical perspective (see Douglas 1971, Finch 1989). Finch, for example, suggests that it is not always necessary to be concerned about the inconsistency between beliefs and actions. Thus it is perfectly possible for an individual to agree to a particular social norm, but at the same time believe that it is not relevant in particular circumstances, or that it does not apply for particular reasons. Therefore, it is not the action that the individual says s/he would take in a particular situation that is of interest, for this will always be situationally specific, but the process of meanings and interpretations used in reaching the outcome that is of central concern. Vignettes provide a very useful tool to illuminate and tap into these complex processes.

They might be bullying her ‘cause she might be different … she might dress different, talk different or look different … everyone’s different, but they might think she’s too different … They’re bullies … She’ll feel really scared and not want to be there, she’ll probably run away.

(Gail, aged 14)

So what if she’s been bullied? She’s probably a really irritating stupid little slag and they’re pissed off with her … it’s her fault, isn’t it?

(Ray, aged 15)

She’s more or less enticing him, thought he had an open invitation, showing his frustration by grabbing her breast — her clothes give the wrong impression, invite attention, really, I feel he’s been set up due to the mixed messages she’s sending out.

(Senior Residential Social Worker, female)