The role of involution on Chinese youth pursuit of postgraduate education abroad: examine through the lens of normative social behaviour

Involution has gained significant traction in China in recent years, particularly in the realms of education and employment. With the economic slowdown, more individuals opt for postgraduate studies to enhance their skills and remain competitive. The keen competition in China has prompted some to pursue further studies abroad, while others leverage academic qualifications obtained from prestigious overseas universities to engage in job involution upon returning home. This phenomenon has been examined by a qualitative research, employing the Theory of Normative Social Behaviour (TNSB) as a lens for analysis. Through the TNSB, the study explores how involution functions as a social norm, influencing the pursuit of postgraduate education abroad among young individuals as a normative social behaviour. The research involved in-depth interviews with 15 mainland Chinese postgraduate students, focusing on three key norms. Descriptive norms shed light on the influence of peers and family members on students’ decisions regarding further education. Injunctive norms reveal how young individuals’ perceptions of external rewards and intrinsic benefits impact their pursuit of postgraduate studies. Collective norms explore the societal influences that shape their choices. Based on the findings, suggestions have been put forward to utilize involution as a driving force for healthy societal progression.