Presenters: Carol Saccaggi & Graham du Plessis Exploring the conceptualizing of citizenship in a South African context using Rasch modelling Presenters: Carol Saccaggi & Graham du Plessis

Hector Pieterson & Sam Nzima 1976 Apartheid South Africa School children riot in Soweto and police open fire Image of a wounded Hector Pieterson becomes part of struggle history Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Understanding Citizenship Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

The SA context Post-Apartheid South Africa – The “rainbow nation”? Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Citizenship in psychology Citizenship as a trait rather than as a political status Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Citizenship in Positive Psychology A character strength Strengths are measurable, universal and morally valued across cultures CONSENSUAL DEFINITION “ a strong sense of duty, works for the good of the group rather than for personal gain, is loyal to friends, and can be trusted to pull his or her weight. He or she is a good teammate. A generative spirit and sense of responsibility for the community …” (Peterson & Seligman, 2004, p. 369) Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Research Question/ Methodology Are there differences in the way in which different groups in South Africa conceptualise citizenship? Sample of 900 students from a large South African university Administration of adapted Citizenship scale (VIA) Scale characteristics examined Items examined for DIF (gender, ethnic group, language) Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Scale Items Do not miss group meetings or team practices. Enjoy being part of a group. Support my teammates or fellow group members. Feel I must respect the decisions made by my group. Am not good at working with a group. (R) Prefer to do everything alone. (R) Work best when I am alone. (R) Keep to myself. (R) Do not think it’s important to socialize with others. (R) Am an extremely loyal person. Do not talk badly to outsiders about my own group. Must try to maintain peace within my group. Lose respect for leaders if I disagree with them. Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Results – Sample characteristics Ethnicity Number Percentage Black 630 70% Coloured 59 6.56% Indian 47 5.22% White 164 18.22%   900 100% Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Results – Dif for Gender Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

RESULTS – Dif for Language Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

RESULTS – Dif for Ethnicity Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

RESULTS – Dif for Ethnicity Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Discussion 10. Am an extremely loyal person. Only 1 item has DIF for gender, no items DIF for Language Multiple items have DIF for ethnicity, especially when using only Black and White groups Following items show DIF: 1. Do not miss group meetings or team practices. 8. Keep to myself. (R) 10. Am an extremely loyal person. 11. Do not talk badly to outsiders about my own group. 13. Lose respect for leaders if I disagree with them. Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

Conclusion There appear to be differences in the way in which Black and White South Africans conceptualise citizenship. This has implications for the way in which citizenship is understood and measured in South Africa. Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg

References Barnes, R., Auburn, Y., & Lea, S. (2004). Citizenship in practice. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43, 187-206. doi:10.1348/0144666041501705 Coetzee, S. & Viviers, R. (2007). An overview of research on positive psychology in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 37(3), 470-490. Comaroff, J. & Comaroff, J. (2003). Reflections on liberalism, policulturalism, and ID-ology: Citizenship and difference in South Africa. Social Identities, 9(4), 445-472. doi:10.1080/1350463032000174632 Eaton, L., & Louw, J. (2000). Culture and self in South Africa: Individualism-collectivism predictions. Journal of Social Psychology, 140, 210-217. doi: 10.1080/00224540009600461 Hamilton, L. (2009). (I’ve never met) a nice South African: Virtuous citizenship and popular sovereignty. Theoria, June, 58-80. doi:10.3167/th.2009.5611905 Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Swartz, S. (2006). A long walk to citizenship: Morality, justice and faith in the aftermath of apartheid. Journal of Moral Education, 35(4), 551-570. doi: 10.1080/03057240601012287 Van Eeden, C., & Wissing, M. P. (2008). Karaktersterktes herontdek in die sielkunde [Character strengths rediscovered in psychology]. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 48(1), 78-94. Carol Saccaggi & Graham d u Plessis - University of Johannesburg