The starting-point of the thesis was that teachers to a large extent teach on the basis of intuitive theories. This creates a tendency that a number of frequent conceptions, pedagogical and didactic theories, experiences of one's own school days etc. become parts of a more fragmentary structure of ideas, rather than a coherent theory of teaching. With the aim of creating a deeper understanding of questions related to teaching and learning, two dominating perspectives were described initial. By putting the intuitive ideas in relation to basic paradigmatic assumptions a picture was given of what the teacher has to know in order to thoroughly understand a certain perspective. In addition, examples of pedagogical theories were presented that can be referred to the perspective in question, which teachers can adopt to qualify their understanding. A critical discussion of the paradigmatic assumptions paved the way for a third perspective, where thoughts occurring in the other two were partly combined. Here a theoretical basis was also presented to explain why the use of mental tools of thinking, especially such that are linked to knowledge theory may lead the teacher to a more reflective way of dealing with questions of teaching and learning. The third perspective was illustrated, first with four examples of how teaching can be performed, and then also in the form of in-service training for teachers. In the empirical section and in the final conclusion the perspectives were illustrated, discussed and examined critically. On the basis of questionnaires answered by upper secondary school teachers, interviews and observations, assumed examples of intuitive theories were presented. The empirical material was also analysed from the same starting-points as the formulation of the perspectives. Ten teachers' systems of intuitive theories about teaching and learning could thus be constructed. Five of these were presented and a comparison with the perspectives was made. Some analyses, however, turned out to agree best with a further perspective, which had not been focused on in the thesis. It was also found that teachers' practice can be enriched by being confronted with scientific knowledge. The value of such knowledge was illustrated through the evaluation of an inservice programme for teachers.

This study, the first in its scope on transgender religiosity, is based on in-depth biographical interviews with 13 transgender participants with a Jewish Orthodox background (currently and formerly Orthodox). The primary aim of the study has been to elucidate the entanglements of gender and religion in three periods of the participants’ lives: pre-transition, transition and post-transition. One of the main topics investigated have been the ways participants negotiated gendered religious practices in those three periods. A secondary aim of this study has been to co-theorize, in dialogue with the participants, different possible paths for religious change; that is, the ways in which the larger Orthodox community might respond to the presence of openly transgender members in its midst. Concerning the findings, in the course of this study I have developed the themes of dislocations and reversal stories to explain how the participants negotiated the entanglements of gender and religion particularly in the transitional and post-transitional periods. The latter theme–reversal stories–has been of special relevance to explain how gendered religious practices, which were generally detrimental to the acceptance of the participants’ gender identities during the pre-transitional period, had the potential to become a powerful source for gender affirmation after transition. In this study I argue that this possibility and its related mode of agency are not contained within the binary resistance/subordination that feminist scholars have developed to account for the agency of women in traditionalist religions. In order to better conceptualize the notion of agency and explore the nature of the mutual entanglements of gender and religion, I deploy the body of theoretical work developed by Karen Barad known as agential realism. Lastly, I conclude by examining my initial commitments to social constructionism (in Peter Berger’s definition). In the final chapter, I describe how in the course of my study I have encountered three unexpected sites of resistance to social constructionism that have led me to reconsider my previous epistemological commitments and embrace posthumanism as a more satisfactory alternative. / The Impact of Religion - Challenges for Society, Law and Democracy

Ce projet de recherche est consacré à l’analyse des politiques sociales qui entourent les violences sexuelles envers les femmes. La visibilité de la violence sexuelle est récente. En dénonçant à la fin des années 1960, les violences sexuelles comme symbole de l'oppression des femmes, le mouvement féministe a été à l'origine de la reconnaissance par les politiques de ce « phénomène » comme une problématique sociale importante et d’intérêt public. L'étude est centrée sur le cas de la France depuis les années 1960 ; de l’émergence du problème social de la violence sexuelle à la formulation des plans gouvernementaux depuis 2005. Il s'agit d'analyser l'évolution du discours public sur les violences sexuelles au fil du temps et les réponses sociales offertes. Cette étude s’articule autour de deux préoccupations : la première est de comprendre comment s’est construite la question de la violence sexuelle, la seconde concerne l’analyse des politiques actuelles qui émanent de cette évolution. Pour comprendre ces questionnements, nous avons utilisé une méthode qualitative s’inspirant principalement de la méthode d’analyse documentaire. Nous avons procédé à l’analyse des différents plans d’actions gouvernementaux mis en place depuis 2005 et des écrits ministériels et scientifiques portant sur la problématique des violences sexuelles. Partant de ce matériel, d’autres documents sont utilisés afin de cerner le contexte historique et actuel. On retrouve par exemple les auteurs qui ont retracés l’histoire de cette problématique à travers les siècles mais aussi les enquêtes sociologiques, qui ont contribué à évaluer l’ampleur du phénomène, ou la revue de presse, qui aide à mieux comprendre les enjeux d’aujourd’hui. Cette recherche s’inscrit principalement dans le courant théorique constructiviste développé par Spector et Kitsuse (1977), repris et explicité par Loseke dans son livre Thinking about social problem (2003). Enfin, un recours à la comparaison internationale par l’exemple du Québec nous a permis d’éclairer certaines particularités françaises. / This research is devoted to the analysis of social policies surrounding sexual assault against women. The visibility of sexual violence is recent. Denouncing the late 1960s, sexual violence as a symbol of the oppression of women, the feminist movement was behind the recognition by policy, this "phenomenon" as an important social problem and public interest. The study focuses on the case of France since the 1960s; the emergence of the social problem of sexual violence in the formulation of government plans since 2005. It is to analyze the evolution of public discourse on sexual violence over time and social responses offered. This study jointed on two concerns: the first is to understand how is built the issue of sexual violence, the second concerns the analysis of current policies from this development. To understand these questions, we used a qualitative approach based principally on the documentary research methods. We analyzed the different government action plans established since 2005 and ministerial and scientific literature of sexual violence. Based on this reading material, other documents are used to identify the historical and current context. Found for example sociological investigations, which have contributed to value the extent of the phenomenon, or a press release, which will help better understand the stakes of today. This research is mainly in the constructivist theory developed by Loseke in his book Thinking about social problem (2003). Finally, a recourse to the international comparison by the example of Quebec will allow us to clarify some French features.

Since the early 1990s, religion and matters of faith and spirituality have become a focal point in numerous arenas beyond the individual and traditionally sacred. With President George W. Bush's White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives of 2001, the Charitable Choice provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act that preceded it in 1996, and the myriad of legal challenges that followed, matters of religion have become paramount in political discourse regarding social welfare. The viability of faith-based social service provision and the organizations providing the direct services have been the focus of speculation, debate, and a growing amount of research. Few studies, however, have explored the role of faith-based advocacy or lobbying organizations in shifting the social welfare climate, in proposing or opposing policy changes in the social welfare system, or in defining social welfare. Little is empirically known about the organizational dynamics of religious advocacy groups whose attempts at structural influence are, in part, affected by theological positions and religiously-informed values.Considering the dearth of research on such organizations, particularly those that operate on the state level, this study explored faith-based advocacy organizations that seek to influence social policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Within an interpretive paradigmatic and theoretical framework that allowed for the exploration of meaning associated with advocacy activities, the inquiry asked the following questions, How do faith-based organizations engage in legislative advocacy in the Commonwealth of Virginia? What meaning do the organizations assign to their advocacy activities? The inquiry's findings, congruent with interpretive research assumptions, are tentative in nature and suggest that while the focal organizations' advocacy activities appear similar to other interest groups, their religious mandates for action distinguish them from their secular counterparts. Interpretations of these mandates significantly influence the organizations' decision-making, their representation of multiple constituencies, and their definitions of success. Unlike previous studies that suggest these organizations distance themselves from insider politics, the religious advocates in the study suggest that fidelity to their mandate means actively participating in the political process while retaining their unique voice as representatives of God and religious traditions.

Dissertation / The impact of stranger rape on the victim and those close to the victim is widely researched. However, little data is available on couples’ experiences of stranger rape and their relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. The researcher aimed to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the unique experiences and relationship dynamics of couples dealing with stranger rape in order to enhance what is known about these couples. A qualitative research methodology was employed which consisted of conducting unstructured in-depth interviews with each of the three participant couples as well as obtaining individual written reflections from each participant. The study explicated unique descriptions of each couple’s experience of stranger rape, illuminated the interconnectedness and recursiveness between the rape and the couples’ relational and system dynamics and identified possible systemic effects at play in these couples’ relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. Key terms: stranger rape, couples, post-traumatic stress disorder, relational dynamics, systems, family systems theory, qualitative research, hermeneutics, social constructionism, postmodernism / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

In this qualitative study the researcher explores the experiences and locus of control orientation of five individuals who have been guided by diviners. It also determines whether any traits or demographic variables characterise individuals consulting with diviners. This study is underpinned by three assumptions, namely, that multiple accounts of reality exist (postmodern philosophy), that knowledge cannot be void of subjectivity (constructivist epistemology) and that ‘meaning’ is influenced by dominant discourses (social constructionist paradigm). Individuals’ experiences with diviners are documented using thematic network analysis. Comparative analysis of the participants’ global themes revealed that ‘control’ and ‘self insight’ and ’self expression’ were common themes. Levenson’s Locus of Control Questionnaire was applied and established that an internal locus of control orientation predominated amongst participants. This finding contradicted existing literature. Professionals in the field of humanities and lay persons interested in divination would appreciate this study. Focal areas for future research and clinical practice are highlighted. / Psychology / (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))

This social constructionist study originated from the researcher’s exposure to the counselling volunteers environment. The study aimed to document the voices of three people, constructed as counselling volunteers. The three semi-structured interviews are with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of their role, as volunteers. The “case study approach” was chosen as the most suitable method to gather the information. “Thematic content analysis” was the method of analysis. The case studies of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these case studies were expounded and linked within the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the volunteerism to emerge. Amongst the themes that emerged, the need to help, being a good counsellor and resilience were identified as particularly important areas for future research. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The aim of this study was to explore how harm reduction methods are perceived by Swedish social workers working with treatment of substance abuse. In doing so, qualitative research method with semi-structured interviews was conducted with five social workers practicing within the social services adult unit from three different municipalities in mid-Sweden. The gathered data was analyzed through the perspective of the two related theoretical frameworks of social constructionism and discourse theory. The result revealed diverse perceptions and perspectives regarding harm reduction methods which both were conflicted between participants and within the participants. Methods practiced in Sweden were to a large degree perceived as positive. Perceptions regarding methods outside of Sweden were to a large degree split between an overall negative perception and a conflicted perception between negative views on the legitimization of drugs and positive perceptions regarding preventive positive outcomes. From the chosen theoretical framework, The participating social workers’ perceptions appeared to be influenced by experience, social context, and a prohibitionist discourse on drug abuse that has since long been predominant in Sweden.

The purpose of this study has been to analyze - by the use of critical discourse analysis - how constructions of ensamkommande (unaccompanied minors) were expressed on Twitter in 2015. The purpose of this analysis has been to investigate what consequences these constructions might have for how people interpret and understand unaccompanied minors and what kind of impact that could have on the social work carried out for the target group. The material was comprised by every tweet written in Swedish and containing the word ensamkommande on Twitter during 2015. The study has been made from a social constructionist  perspective and the method for analysis has been Fairclough’s three dimensional model. The result showed that eight discourses could be identified. The majority of these could be said to have a negative attitude towards unaccompanied minors and portrayed them in a very negative way. The few discourses that could be said to have a positive attitude towards the target group also contributed to the very negative construction of them. The result also showed that the main producers of the material, and thereby the negative construction of unaccompanied minors, were private individuals, politicians, journalists and media. The conclusion is that the construction of unaccompanied minors could have a negative impact on social work since it can affect how people in general perceive the target group. This could lead to both structural and individual impact regarding the social work with unaccompanied minors. How people interpret and understand the concept of unaccompanied minors could affect how people vote in general elections which could lead to changes in legislation and policies to better answer towards the very negative construction of unaccompanied minors. Such changes of legislation and policies could have a negative impact on the social workers ability to maneuver in their work with the target group. There is also a risk that social workers incorporate the construction of unaccompanied minors so that the work with the target group may be based on prejudiced and general assumptions about them. / Syftet med denna studie har varit att med hjälp av kritisk diskursanalys undersöka hur konstruktioner av begreppet ensamkommande tog sig i uttryck på Twitter under 2015 och vilka konsekvenser dessa konstruktioner kunde tänkas få för människors förståelse av begreppet ensamkommande samt det sociala arbetet med ensamkommande. Materialet består av samtliga tweets på svenska innehållande begreppet ensamkommande som publicerades på den sociala medieplattformen Twitter under 2015. Vi har utgått från ett socialkonstruktionistiskt perspektiv och använt oss av kritisk diskursanalys med Faircloughs tredimensionella modell som analysmetod. I resultatet kunde åtta diskurser urskiljas. Majoriteten av diskurserna kunde sägas vara negativt inställda till ensamkommande och framställde ensamkommande på ett mycket ogynnsamt sätt. De få diskurser som kunde sägas vara positivt inställda till ensamkommande bidrog dock till den väldigt vinklade konstruktionen av målgruppen. Resultatet visade även att de aktörer som stod för störst del av materialet, och därigenom störst del av konstruktionen av ensamkommande, var privatpersoner, politiker, journalister och media. Slutsatserna är att konstruktionen av ensamkommande kan påverka det sociala arbetet, då den kan leda till att människor får en mycket negativt vinklad förståelse och uppfattning av ensamkommande. Detta kan i sin tur leda till att lagstiftning och riktlinjer som reglerar socialarbetares handlingsutrymme kan förändras för att bättre svara mot den negativa konstruktionen av målgruppen. Det finns även en risk att socialarbetare införlivar konstruktionen av ensamkommande och arbetet med målgruppen kan komma att utgå från fördomsfulla och generella antaganden om ensamkommande.

Den här studien sker mot bakgrund av uppgifter i nyhetsmedier där det berättats om de svårigheter som hemlösa möter om det är föräldrar till barn som inte delar deras situation i hemlöshet. Den sker också mot bakgrund av att Barnkonventionen inom kort inkorporeras i svensk lagstiftning. Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur det sociala problemet “att vara hemlös förälder i missbruk” konstrueras i vetenskapliga texter om två modeller för arbete med motverkan av hemlöshet i Sverige. Studiens syfte är också att skapa en djupare förståelse av om, och i så fall hur, nämnda modellers lösningar möjliggör för föräldern att tillgodose den rätt barnet enligt Barnkonventionen har till sina föräldrar, till bostad och till skydd, genom förälderns deltagande i respektive modell. Studiens metod är kvalitativ innehållsanalys och perspektivanalys utgör både teori och analysmetod utifrån socialkonstruktivistisk grund. De två problemperspektiv vi funnit har vi valt att kalla för ”behandling först – boende sedan” respektive ”boende först – behandling sedan”. De skiljer sig avsevärt från varandra beträffande hur det sociala problemets karaktär, orsak, konsekvenser, lösning och utveckling konstrueras. Det visar sig också finnas skillnader mellan hur problemperspektiven möjliggör tillgodoseendet av barnets rättigheter enligt Barnkonventionen. En viktig slutsats är avsaknaden av tydliga barnperspektiv i de bägge problemperspektiven. Studien finner även att ”behandling först – boende sedan” är ett problemperspektiv som bygger på en voluntaristisk orsaksförklaring medan ”boende först – behandling sedan” istället bygger på en deterministisk.