The Pillars of Violence and Nonviolence through the Prism of Students’ Lived Experiences: A Phenomenological Approach

Abstract

This study explores nonviolent behavior experiences of college students using the
phenomenological approach. In-depth interview and open-ended written response items were used to
gather data from a purposeful sample of seven (five male and two female) students/co-researchers.
After transcription, interview and written response data were organized and thematically coded using
Open Code software version 4.02. Nineteen subthemes and eight major themes emerged from the
data. Other-orientation, self-orientation and transaction between self and others were the subthemes
that emerged under the major theme, views of nonviolent behavior. Likewise, violent, nonviolent, and
nonviolence out of violent background were found to be the lived experiences of the students/co
researchers. Moreover, inner resources, family, media, religion, educational institutions and sociocultural
challenges were found to be the dynamic factors that influence development of nonviolent
behavior. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.