An educational reform was carried out in Sweden in the early 1990s. This reform involved implementing a far reaching policy of freedom of choice. The reform resulted in an increased establishment of independent schools, competition between schools and gave cause to substantial student flows between different city districts and public and independent schools. This study focuses on three public compulsory schools in Stockholm city with a striking inflow of students from socially disadvantaged suburbs, and an outflow of students to other schools. The aim is to describe and analyse how school leaders, teachers, parents and students relate to, and make use of, the freedom of choice policy. The study revolves around the following questions: How does the policy affect the schools’ positions in the field of education? How can the inflow of students be explained? How does the increased diversity affect identity formation and social relations among students? How can the outflow of students living within the schools’ catchment areas be explained? The empirical data were collected through an ethnographic fieldwork over the course of one year, using different techniques foremost observations, focus groups and interviews. My theoretical point of departure is that an understanding of these processes must take societal structures and social positions, as well as individual and institutional factors, into account. In my analyses I draw on Bourdieu’s theoretical framework and concepts such as field, habitus, capital and social space. The findings suggest that the schools’ positions, and the actors’ practices, are determined by objective factors, but that surrounding social and symbolic structures also plays an important role. Symbolic capital associated with “Swedishness”, and characteristics ascribed to stigmatized suburbs and the better-off inner-city districts, are important factors to understand the student flows and the development at the studied schools.

This thesis studies the problem of measuring freedom of choice. It analyzes the concept of freedom of choice, discusses conditions that a measure should satisfy, and introduces a new class of measures that uniquely satisfy ten proposed conditions. The study uses a decision-theoretical model to represent situations of choice and a metric space model to represent differences between options. The first part of the thesis analyzes the concept of freedom of choice. Different conceptions of freedom of choice are categorized into evaluative and non-evaluative, as well as preference-dependent and preference-independent kinds. The main focus is on the three conceptions of freedom of choice as cardinality of choice sets, representativeness of the universal set, and diversity of options, as well as the three conceptions of freedom of rational choice, freedom of eligible choice, and freedom of evaluated choice. The second part discusses the conceptions, together with conditions for a measure and a variety of measures proposed in the literature. The discussion mostly focuses on preference-independent conceptions of freedom of choice, in particular the diversity conception. Different conceptions of diversity are discussed, as well as properties that could affect diversity, such as the cardinality of options, the differences between the options, and the distribution of differences between the options. As a result, the diversity conception is accepted as the proper explication of the concept of freedom of choice. In addition, eight conditions for a measure are accepted. The conditions concern domain-insensitivity, strict monotonicity, no-choice situations, dominance of differences, evenness, symmetry, spread of options, and limited function growth. None of the previously proposed measures satisfy all of these conditions. The third part concerns the construction of a ratio-scale measure that satisfies the accepted conditions. Two conditions are added regarding scale-independence and function growth proportional to cardinality. Lastly, it is shown that only one class of measures satisfy all ten conditions, given an additional assumption that the measures should be analytic functions with non-zero partial derivatives with respect to some function of the differences. These measures are introduced as the Ratio root measures.

This thesis studies the problem of measuring freedom of choice. It analyzes the concept of freedom of choice, discusses conditions that a measure should satisfy, and introduces a new class of measures that uniquely satisfy ten proposed conditions. The study uses a decision-theoretical model to represent situations of choice and a metric space model to represent differences between options. The first part of the thesis analyzes the concept of freedom of choice. Different conceptions of freedom of choice are categorized into evaluative and non-evaluative, as well as preference-dependent and preference-independent kinds. The main focus is on the three conceptions of freedom of choice as cardinality of choice sets, representativeness of the universal set, and diversity of options, as well as the three conceptions of freedom of rational choice, freedom of eligible choice, and freedom of evaluated choice. The second part discusses the conceptions, together with conditions for a measure and a variety of measures proposed in the literature. The discussion mostly focuses on preference-independent conceptions of freedom of choice, in particular the diversity conception. Different conceptions of diversity are discussed, as well as properties that could affect diversity, such as the cardinality of options, the differences between the options, and the distribution of differences between the options. As a result, the diversity conception is accepted as the proper explication of the concept of freedom of choice. In addition, eight conditions for a measure are accepted. The conditions concern domain-insensitivity, strict monotonicity, no-choice situations, dominance of differences, evenness, symmetry, spread of options, and limited function growth. None of the previously proposed measures satisfy all of these conditions. The third part concerns the construction of a ratio-scale measure that satisfies the accepted conditions. Two conditions are added regarding scale-independence and function growth proportional to cardinality. Lastly, it is shown that only one class of measures satisfy all ten conditions, given an additional assumption that the measures should be analytic functions with non-zero partial derivatives with respect to some function of the differences. These measures are introduced as the Ratio root measures.

Evidências na literatura apontam que com a prática de habilidades motoras com alta demanda cognitiva é adquirida uma representação mental. No entanto, freqüentemente observa-se que indivíduos com desempenho semelhante em uma mesma habilidade possuem distinta capacidade de adaptação, ou seja, apresentam desempenhos diferentes na execução da mesma habilidade em uma outra condição. A questão central deste estudo tem origem nesse aparente paradoxo: estruturas de representação mental de mesma natureza proverem capacidade de adaptação distinta. Há evidências na literatura de que o grau de liberdade de escolha do aprendiz pode afetar o processo de aquisição de habilidades motoras, sendo que um grau ótimo dessa liberdade proporcionaria a formação de uma representação mental que favorece a capacidade de adaptação. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi investigar o efeito do grau de liberdade na escolha da resposta no processo adaptativo em aprendizagem motora. Foram realizados três experimentos, nos quais indivíduos que adquiriram uma representação mental, em três condições distintas de liberdade de escolha, foram testados em sua capacidade de adaptação a modificações da tarefa: perceptiva (EXPERIMENTO 1), efetora (EXPERIMENTO 2) e perceptivo-efetora (EXPERIMENTO 3). Participaram do estudo 139 voluntários com média de idade de 21 anos. Foi utilizada uma tarefa complexa de timing coincidente. Os resultados permitiram concluir que um alto grau de liberdade na escolha da resposta, durante a estabilização de uma habilidade motora, prejudica o processo de adaptação a uma modificação perceptivo-efetora da tarefa, havendo indicativo de que um grau médio é benéfico. Além disso, houve indícios de que o não fornecimento de liberdade de escolha prejudica a adaptação a uma modificação efetora da tarefa / Evidence on literature indicates that with the practice of a motor skill with high cognitive demand a mental representation is acquired. Nevertheless, it is frequently observed that individuals with similar performances in a skill have distinct adaptation capacity, e.g., they show different performances when executing the same skill in another condition. The main question of this study derives from this apparent paradox: mental representation structures of the same nature providing distinct adaptation capacity. There is evidence on literature that the learner?s degree of freedom of choice may affect the acquisition process of a motor skill, given that an optimal degree of that freedom would lead to the formation of a mental representation which favours the adaptation capacity. Thus, the purpouse of this study was to investigate the effect of the degree of freedom in response choice on adaptive process in motor learning. This matter was investigated in three experiments, in which individuals who acquired a mental representation in three distinct conditions of freedom in response choice were tested on their capacity to adapt to: perceptual (EXPERIMENT 1), motor (EXPERIMENT 2) and perceptual-motor (EXPERIMENT 3) task modifications. A hundred thrity-nine volunteers, with mean age of 21 years, took part in this study. A complex coincident timing task was used. The results allowed to conclude that a high degree of freedom in response choice, during the stabilization of a motor skill, impairs the adaptation process to a perceptual-motor modification of the task. Furthermore, the results suggest that a medium degree of freedom is beneficial to adapt to a perceptual-motor modification of the task and that not provinding freedom in response choice impairs the adaptation to a motor modification of the task

Recentemente os efeitos de diferentes estruturas de prática na aprendizagem de habilidades motoras têm sido investigados sob um modelo de não-equilíbrio denominado Processo Adaptativo. Há indicativos de que, primeiramente, haja necessidade da prática constante para formar a estrutura da habilidade e, posteriormente, da prática aleatória para promover a sua diversificação. Entretanto, os estudos acerca da estruturação da prática incitam indagações relacionadas ao efeito da estrutura de prática que inclui alguma liberdade de escolha do aprendiz no processo adaptativo. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi investigar os efeitos de diferentes estruturas de prática com liberdade de escolha na aprendizagem de habilidades motoras. Realizou-se um experimento que consistiu de duas fases: estabilização e adaptação. Na fase de estabilização, as 120 crianças participantes foram distribuídas em seis grupos formados pela associação entre as estruturas de prática constante e constante-aleatória e diferentes tipos de liberdade de escolha - da seqüência ou de alguns componentes para formar uma seqüência. Na fase de adaptação, os aprendizes foram testados em sua capacidade de se adaptar a uma modificação perceptivo-efetora da tarefa. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a estrutura de prática constante com liberdade na escolha de alguns componentes para formar a seqüência proporcionou melhor adaptação à nova tarefa / Recently the effects of practice schedules on motor skills learning have been investigated under a non-equilibrium model known as Adaptive Process. There are indicatives that, firstly, it has necessity of constant practice to form the skill?s structure and, later, of random practice to further its diversification. However, studies about practice schedules incite inquiries related with the effects of practice schedule that includes some freedom of choice of the learners in the adaptive process. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different practice schedules with freedom of choice on learning of motor skills. It was carried out one experiment that consisted of two phases: stabilization and adaptation. In the stabilization phase 120 children were assigned into six groups formed by association between constant and constant-random practice schedules and different kinds of freedom of choice (sequence or components). In the adaptation phase, the learners were submitted to perceptual-motor task modification. The results allowed to conclude that constant practice schedule with freedom in the components choice provided better adaptation to the new task

Based on a two month-long fieldwork in a Swedish upper secondary school, this thesis examines student attitudes and strives to increase the understanding of how they are formed, how students and teachers are positioned to the collective habitus, as well as how the students’ views of their attitudes relates to their practical expressions of them. The study is placed in a scientific debate regarding student resistance and conformity but shifts the focus from the implications they have to the motivations they are the result of. The analysis is grounded in research suggesting that the main factors for the formation of attitudes is the means to obtain what you desire as well as the freedom to choose that you desire. The conclusion settles around speculations to why the student attitudes look like they do, such as lack of symbolic capital or adoption of social roles given to them, as well as a need to fit in to the collective habitus or experiencing feelings of shame and hopelessness. It is also suggested that there is a disjuncture between the students’ narratives and practices of the attitudes and that the reason behind this might be feelings of shame and hopelessness created by not fitting in.

This qualitative investigation addresses the notion of using the film The Matrix (Silver, & Wachowski, Wachowski, 1999) as a fortigenic tool. Fortigenesis is a process of developing strengths. Within the relatively new field of positive psychology (PP) the premise is that character strengths and virtues can be fostered to lead a better life with positive goals and richer meaning. This positive outlook has several links with existentialism. As such PP and existentialism were used as theoretical points of departure in this reading of the film. For this new field to grow, positive psychologists embrace the idea of using many foci. Hence many looking-glasses or lenses were used in this reading: these are PP, existentialism, philosophy, Christianity and fairy-tales. As a result, several PP notions such as self-efficacy, love, hope, courage, open-mindedness, creativity and faith and two existential themes, freedom of choice and will to meaning, were read into this motion picture. Thus conceptually, The Matrix is specifically explored as a filmic container. Its application as a fortigenic tool is highlighted through the use of Broaden-and-Build theory to validate and solidify constructs. Broaden-and-build theory is founded on the idea that positive emotions lead to a broadening of cognition (e.g. new and creative ways of thinking), which in turn allows for a broader repertoire of positive actions that people can consider. Lastly, conclusions are discussed, one being that more research about the positive in psychology is necessary. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Psychology / MA / Unrestricted

Den här uppsatsen har sin utgångspunkt i en arbetsgrupp, inom äldrevården, vilken har en förhållandevis jämn fördelning mellan antalet män och kvinnor. Hypotesen är att en organisation, med en sådan arbetsgrupp, i större utsträckning inhyser konflikter mellan arbetsplatsens jämställdhet och vårdtagarnas valfrihet att tacka ja eller nej till hjälp beroende på om den tilltänkta utföraren är man eller kvinna. Platsen har alltså valts strategiskt för att utröna om hypotesen kan bekräftas. Uppsatsen behandlar hur organisationen, formellt och informellt, samordnar dessa normer och utgår ifrån att det finns en inneboende intressekonflikt i relationen dem emellan. Det empiriska materialet har hämtats in med hjälp av samtalsintervjuer. Syftet med uppsatsen har varit att tydliggöra ansvarsfördelningen för hur de olika normerna avvägs mot varandra men också att utröna vilka efterverkningar avvägningarna får i det praktiska arbetet och rekryteringen. Som titeln implicerar använde sig organisationen av en undvikande logik i avvägningen. Istället för att synliggöra konflikten tonade man ner den genom att bara ta till sig jämställdhetskonceptet på ett terminologiskt plan och på så sätt löskoppla det från de interna aktiviteterna. Genom detta pragmatiska förhållningssätt kunde arbetet fortlöpa som tidigare utan att den inbyggda intressekonflikten gjorde avkall på effektiviteten. / This essay has its outset in a work team within the elderly care. The work team is relatively equally composed regarding the number of men and women. The hypothesis is that an organization, with a work team of that composition, will even more so contain conflicts between the work place' equality and the caretakers freedom of choice to accept or decline help depending on if the prospective personnel is male or female. The scene of the study has thereby been chosen strategically in order to prove the hypothesis. The essay is addressing how the organization, formally and informally, coordinates these norms and assumes that there is an immanent conflict of interest in the relation between them. The empirical data has been obtained through research interviews. The intention of the essay has been to clarify the division of responsibilities regarding how the norms should be balanced in relation to one another but also to determine which impacts the balancing will provide in the hands-on work and the recruitment of new staff. As the title implicate; did the organization use an avoidant approach in the balancing process. Rather than making the conflict visible, it was de-emphasized by absorbing the concept of equality only on a semantic level, thereby loose coupling the concept from the internal activities. Through such pragmatic disposition the activities could proceed as before without a conflict of interests intervening on the efficiency of the organization.

Elden Ring, an open world game by From Software has used almost exclusively hiddenguidance systems to guide the players. This study provides insight on players’ experience ofplayer agency and freedom of choice. This is a pilot study into the subject of Elden Ring’ssuccess as an open world game while keeping visual guidance to the minimum. This researchwas conducted with a mixed methodology combining a quantitative survey for backgrounddata qualitative semi-structured interviews for further in-depth analysis. Data has shown thatall participants have experienced some form of player agency in Elden Ring, alongsideexperiencing different hidden guidance systems throughout different parts of the game. Thisstudy can be helpful for game developers and players alike to see how a successful openworld game guided players’ experience without using visual guidance. To conclude, based onthe data, it should be noted that the concept of agency is a construct that is decided by theplayer.

Independent confessional schools have been a heavily discussed subject in Sweden in recent years. At the same time, the spread of information is shifting more and more from the religious institutions themselves to be controlled by the media according to the mediatization theory. This paper aims to investigate what arguments are used, and which themes can be identified in the discussion about confessional schools in Sweden in two large newspapers using qualitative thematic analysis. Moreover, the investigation is using a quantitative approach to find out if the question about confessional schools have gained more or less attention during recent years, looking at the number of publications from Swedish newspapers. The findings show that the number of publications has risen quite drastically in the last 15 years, and the years with the highest peaks correlate with the election years in 2018 and 2022, which both were election years in Sweden. Moreover, the paper aims to gain a better understanding about how we can relate that discourse to mediatization theory. Meaning that the media plays a big part in controlling the narrative, together with the audience. The results in this investigation are quite similar to previous research concerning what type of themes that can be identified in the discussion and debates about confessional schools. The investigation also highlights some difficulties in the legislation and decisions made to control how confessional schools in Sweden are being run.