Terrell L. Strayhorn presents a series of research studies, from qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods, while focusing on different types of college student populations and groups. Throughout his research he incorporates the theory of belonging and mattering in College Students’ Sense of Belonging: A Key to Educational Success for All Students in order to gain a better understanding of their sense of belonging in higher education.
Strayhorn (2012) frames sense of belonging as a “basic human need and motivation, sufficient to influence behavior” (3). He goes deeper into detail and “in terms of college, sense of belonging refers to students’ perceived social support on campus, a feeling or sensation of connectedness, the experience of …show more content…
Then, findings of the study will highlight the seven groups who were involved with this project – (1) Latino students; (2) gay students; (3) first-year college students; (4) STEM students of color; (5) black male college students; (6) graduate students; and finally, (7) student organizations. Afterwards, both strengths and weaknesses will be explored in order to evaluate the theory and focus on what needs to be improved upon. Finally, using the data presented will help in generating possible future implications for higher education professionals.
Origin of Sense of Belonging Sense of belonging was created from different sources with multiple meanings:
“For instance, McMillan and Chavis (1986, p. 9) used the term ‘sense of community,’ which refers to ‘a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to to the group, and shared a faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together’. Another example is goodenow’s (1993a, p. 25) use of sense of belonging or “membershio” in school settings, which refers to ‘students’ sense of being accepted, valued, included, and encouraged by others (teachers and peers) in the academic classroom setting and of the feeling onself to be an important part of the life …show more content…
Through this data, he discovered that “sense of belonging reflects the social support that students perceive on campus; it is a feeling of connectedness, that one is important to others, that one matters” (16). In a second study, Strayhorn “conceptualized sense of belonging [of 231 Black and 300 white male collegians] as a ‘subjective evaluation of the quality of [students’] relationships with others on campus” (17). He incorporated two theories between belonging and mattering in his studies to further explore outcomes. Aside from these two studies, Strayhorn went about in abstracting other types of groups to focus on like LGBTQ students, first-year college students, STEM students of color, graduate students, and students involved in student
Strayhorn (2012) frames sense of belonging as a “basic human need and motivation, sufficient to influence behavior” (3). He goes deeper into detail and “in terms of college, sense of belonging refers to students’ perceived social support on campus, a feeling or sensation of connectedness, the experience of …show more content…
Then, findings of the study will highlight the seven groups who were involved with this project – (1) Latino students; (2) gay students; (3) first-year college students; (4) STEM students of color; (5) black male college students; (6) graduate students; and finally, (7) student organizations. Afterwards, both strengths and weaknesses will be explored in order to evaluate the theory and focus on what needs to be improved upon. Finally, using the data presented will help in generating possible future implications for higher education professionals.
Origin of Sense of Belonging Sense of belonging was created from different sources with multiple meanings:
“For instance, McMillan and Chavis (1986, p. 9) used the term ‘sense of community,’ which refers to ‘a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to to the group, and shared a faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together’. Another example is goodenow’s (1993a, p. 25) use of sense of belonging or “membershio” in school settings, which refers to ‘students’ sense of being accepted, valued, included, and encouraged by others (teachers and peers) in the academic classroom setting and of the feeling onself to be an important part of the life …show more content…
Through this data, he discovered that “sense of belonging reflects the social support that students perceive on campus; it is a feeling of connectedness, that one is important to others, that one matters” (16). In a second study, Strayhorn “conceptualized sense of belonging [of 231 Black and 300 white male collegians] as a ‘subjective evaluation of the quality of [students’] relationships with others on campus” (17). He incorporated two theories between belonging and mattering in his studies to further explore outcomes. Aside from these two studies, Strayhorn went about in abstracting other types of groups to focus on like LGBTQ students, first-year college students, STEM students of color, graduate students, and students involved in student