Exploring Mechanisms for Strengthening Critical Attitudes in High School Students
Keywords:
Critical Attitude, High School Students, Thematic Analysis, Secondary Education, Psychological Factors, Social InteractionAbstract
The purpose of this study was to explore and identify effective mechanisms for strengthening critical attitudes in high school students using a qualitative approach. This study employed qualitative thematic analysis and involved semi-structured interviews with 26 participants, including students, teachers, and school counselors from high schools in Tehran. Participants were selected through purposive criterion sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo software. Open codes were extracted and organized into subthemes and main themes through thematic analysis. The results revealed three main themes: "Effective Educational Contexts," "Psychological and Personal Factors," and "Role of Family and Social Environment." Each theme included several subthemes such as teaching strategies, classroom climate, cognitive self-efficacy, learning-related emotions, parenting styles, and peer influence. These interacting factors contribute to the development and reinforcement of critical attitudes in students. The findings highlight that critical attitude is a multidimensional construct influenced by educational, psychological, and social factors. Comprehensive interventions in curriculum design, teacher training, family education, and public cultural discourse are required to effectively nurture critical attitudes in students.
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