Comparative Education Bulletin - Faculty of Education - The ...

In summary, it is fair to say that the findings discussed above
consistently demonstrate an affinity by members of the non-TCK group
with the concepts and terminology attributed by Pollock and Van
Reken to the TCK experience.
Conclusion
In this study, I had set out to compare and contrast the experiences of
a group of non-TCKs and a group of TCKs, seeking to identify points
of divergence and convergence in their experiences. The impetus for
this work was the need to conduct a study with a carefully selected
control group of non-TCK participants, in order to test whether or not
Third Culture Theory suffers from the ‘Fallacy of Subjective Personal
Validation’. Prior to undertaking the field research, it was expected
that points of divergence between the two groups would emerge. It
was also suspected that points of convergence may exist, but there
was no data upon which to base such speculation. When the data
obtained from the two groups was compared and analysed, clear
areas of divergence arose from the findings and a number of points of
convergence also materialised. Bearing in mind the exploratory nature
of this study, these points of common junction are not presented as
conclusive evidence for judging the credibility of the Third Culture
Phenomenon. Rather, they provide a framework upon which to ground
and construct a more detailed study, to formally test the validity of
the suppositions and empirical statements made by Pollock and Van
Reken concerning Third Culture and TCKs. A wider and more detailed
exploration of this phenomenon, will no doubt reach a final conclusion
as to whether or not Third Culture Theory does indeed suffer from
‘Fallacy of Subjective Personal Validation’.
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