Postmodern thought and individual experience: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Emerging predominately in the late 1970s through to the early 90s, postmodern thought encompasses a radical questioning of previous cultural and belief structures. This has led to criticisms of these ideas as nihilistic and detrimental to individuals’ identity and values, alongside claims of increased freedom and possibility. Given these criticisms and possibilities, the present study consisted of a qualitative investigation into the influence of postmodernism on the self, beliefs, and values. Seven participants participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed through an experience-based approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes and 15 subthemes were identified in response to postmodernism: ‘ambivalence’; ‘uncertainty’; ‘responses to uncertainty’; and ‘self as an exception’. These findings were both consistent and inconsistent with criticisms of postmodernism, as participants expressed a sense of postmodernism as destabilising, however, the need for action and stability frequently led participants to respond with the strengthening of their beliefs, or an unwillingness to refute them. The experiences and responses of participants to postmodernism challenge the view that postmodern thinking has a negative influence upon individuals and their beliefs, although further research is needed. Based on the present study and its limitations, it is suggested that future research utilise both qualitative and quantitative methods in more targeted samples to investigate the relationship between postmodernism and conceptions of beliefs and values.