Triggers, emotional mediators and reflective action in hospitality pedagogy

Jost, M. and Rimmer, R. (2016) Triggers, emotional mediators and reflective action in hospitality pedagogy. CHME Conference, Belfast, UK, 4-6 May 2016.

Abstract

Transformative-learning theorists suggest that 'triggers' experienced in the classroom or in the rest of life can stimulate more reflective thinking. They further suggest that the emotional impacts of triggers or 'disorienting dilemmas', as they are also called, might nullify any impact on reflective process. That is, there may be relationships between some or all of triggers, emotions and thinking; and if there are, emotions could either mediate the influence of triggers on thinking processes or act to disrupt the influence entirely. In this paper, a quantitative examination is reported of the existence of these interlinkages in transformative-learning theory. Such a study has not been attempted before and potentially it has especial relevance in hospitality education with its mix of practical, theoretical and internship elements. Data for the study were obtained in a survey of hospitality students from 33 different countries. It is shown that among those studying hospitality: emotions do mediate the impact of disorienting dilemmas on reflective action; also triggering incidents do influence forms of thinking directly.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rimmer, Professor Russell
• Authors: Jost, M., and Rimmer, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education

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