Terror Management Theory and Social Studies Education

• In Event: 44.076 - Beyond Borders in the Social Studies

Abstract

Terror management theory (TMT) and its subset, worldview threat, provide a generative framework for engaging with multiple perspectives in social studies classrooms, particularly for worldviews of non-dominant, underserved groups. An awareness of existential processes that impact teaching and learning provides an opportunity to engage with privilege and oppression in a way that mitigates hostile responses, thus building upon educational scholarship regarding emotional and systemic factors that limit rapprochement with underserved communities. We can create classrooms that have the potential to tap into existing worldviews that foster tolerance, and for students with less tolerant worldviews, they can be made aware of the psychological processes in play, with the hope that such knowledge will mitigate the intensity of any negative reactions.

Author

• Cathryn van Kessel, University of Alberta