Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka vilka motiv utifrån Self-Determination Theory (SDT) som är främst förekommande samt vilken intensitet och frekvens gymmotionärer har till att motionera. Detta har undersökts genom självskattningsformulär där instrumenten Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ) och Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire(GLTEQ) har använts. Deltagarna för studien (n=164) bestod av både män (n=82)och kvinnor (n=82) i fyra ålderskategorier yngrevuxna, vuxna, äldre vuxna och äldre. Resultatet visar att inre målorienteringar är starkare motiv än yttre för ökad motionsintensitet och frekvens. Resultatet visar även att män har en högre frekvens än kvinnor inom ansträngande motion. De två yngre ålderskategorierna har en högre frekvens och träningsintensitet än de två äldre ålderskategorierna. Slutsatserna visar på att äldre har en inre motivation men att de yngre har både inre- och yttre motiv för motionsdeltagande. Detta visade sig genom antaganden om en individ har ett uppgifts- eller egoorienterat beteende. / The purpose of this study are to investigate what motives that are more represented, and what intensity and frequency gym exercisers have to exercise by Self-Determination Theory. This has been investigated by a self-questionnaire instrument, Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ) and Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). The respondents (n=164) were Men (n=82) and Women (n=82) in four age categories younger, adults, old adults, and seniors.The results shown that intrinsic goal orientations were stronger motives than extrinsic for increased exercise intensity and frequency. The results also shown that Men has a higher frequency than Women by strenuous exercise. The two younger age groups shown a higher frequency and exercise intensity than the two older ones. The conclusion shows that older individuals have an intrinsic motivation while the younger has both an intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to exercise participation. These assumptions are based on an individual being task- or ego oriented.

Guyana’s REDD+ model features the placement of almost all of the country’s rainforest under long-term protection in return for monetary incentives that will be used to move the country along a low carbon development trajectory. It is a model of forestry preservation and sustainable development that the Government of Guyana is developing in partnership with the Government of Norway. This model of development is part of the global climate change mitigation scheme, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation plus (REDD+). REDD+ is a series of initiatives focused on/in developing countries seeking to diminish carbon dioxide emissions caused by deforestation and degradation, processes recognized as being one of the leading causes of climate change. It aims to dramatically reduce these emissions by creating an incentive mechanism that will pay developing countries to halt destructive processes that lead to deforestation and degradation. Guyana’s REDD+ model has significant implications for Amerindians who occupy the forested regions of Guyana, where most REDD+ related activities are scheduled to take place. Although this model is developing in a context where the legal and political regime governing Amerindians is weak, the treatment of Amerindians in REDD+ development leaves much to be desired in terms of both recognition and protection of important human rights. This Thesis reviews Guyana’s pioneering REDD+ model to show that it is failing to safeguard Amerindian rights recognized under international human rights law. Within the framework of the law, it argues that Guyana’s actions are contrary to its international obligations regarding indigenous peoples. Appropriate measures that should be adopted by Guyana to safeguard Amerindian rights are explored and proposed in this thesis. Possible measures that can be adopted by Norway, the World Bank, and the international community to motivate Guyana to undertake reforms are also examined.

Recreational running is an activity increasing in popularity (Running USA, 2012). The current study sought to gain an ‘insiders’ perspective into the ‘lived experiences’ and social world of distance running so to explore the meaning, value and significance of the activity to the lives of ‘highly committed’ runners in Toronto (Canada). Ethnography of running club participants was used to inform the research. Findings suggest that commitment to distance running was effective for fulfilling a number of human ‘needs’, including for health, fitness, acceptance, belonging, self-esteem, autonomy, competence, relatedness and perhaps self-actualization as proposed by Maslow (1954) and Deci and Ryan (2000). Running was further conceptualized as a “serious leisure” (Stebbins, 1982) which helps explain the process of adaptively incorporating physical activity into one’s life and committing long-term. This research highlights some oft ignored psychological and social benefits of physical activity adherence which may contribute to improved overall health and well-being.

Recreational running is an activity increasing in popularity (Running USA, 2012). The current study sought to gain an ‘insiders’ perspective into the ‘lived experiences’ and social world of distance running so to explore the meaning, value and significance of the activity to the lives of ‘highly committed’ runners in Toronto (Canada). Ethnography of running club participants was used to inform the research. Findings suggest that commitment to distance running was effective for fulfilling a number of human ‘needs’, including for health, fitness, acceptance, belonging, self-esteem, autonomy, competence, relatedness and perhaps self-actualization as proposed by Maslow (1954) and Deci and Ryan (2000). Running was further conceptualized as a “serious leisure” (Stebbins, 1982) which helps explain the process of adaptively incorporating physical activity into one’s life and committing long-term. This research highlights some oft ignored psychological and social benefits of physical activity adherence which may contribute to improved overall health and well-being.

This thesis examines the principle of national self-determination as it pertained to the Kurdish population of the Middle East after the First World War and the legacy that it has left behind. The end of the War was characterized by a shift from empires to the European state system. This transition necessitated the redrawing of political borders. As victors of the War, Britain, France, Italy, and the United States of America had the power to influence the future of the continent in terms of creating nation-states. While nation-states were created in Europe, a mandate system was implemented in the Middle East. The Great Powers divided the Middle East into British and French spheres of influence. In so doing, the Kurds were left without a state. This research provides a case study for the Kurds at the close of the First World War and examines the obstacles they face today as the struggle for autonomy continues.

Belöningssystem har länge varit omdebatterat huruvida det påverkar anställdas motivation och det finns ingen universallösning som är möjlig att tillämpa generellt. Samtidigt är det av stor strategisk betydelse att ha ett välfungerande belöningssystem. Vi fick i uppdrag av Swedbank Juristbyrå att undersöka deras belöningssystem och hur de påverkar de anställdas motivation. Eftersom Swedbank Juristbyrå är en franchiseorganisation är det franchisetagarna själva som bestämmer vilket belöningssystem de vill använda. De har tre olika belöningssystem inom organisationen, fast lön, enbart provision samt kombinerat fast lön och provision. För att förstå hur de anställdas motivation påverkades av belöningssystemen användes teorier inom inre och yttre motivation, belöningssystem och vilka problem dessa kan medföra. Genom vår undersökning kom vi fram till att samtliga belöningssystem fungerar inom organisationen trots att det har tre olika belöningssystem och utför identiska arbetsuppgifter. Detta kan bero på att motivationen är ytters individuell men också att det är andra faktorer än belöningssystem som spelar en stor roll. Det är också mycket viktigt som franchisetagare att vara medveten om vilka problem de olika systemen kan föra med sig och hitta lösningar för att minimera risken för dessa att inträffa.

The utility of crime desistance research for community management and rehabilitation of offenders is evident; however this field of research is relatively recent. Theoretical research on crime desistance has varied over the years, although generally the field has been divided between perspectives focusing on either social or psychological causes. In addition, much of the research is plagued with methodological problems, such as an abundance of retrospective studies and unrepresentative offender samples. The present study proposes a framework of crime desistance that integrates the social and psychological perspectives and is compatible with current views on offender rehabilitation. This framework entitled, the Positive Self Change (PSC) framework, generally states that crime occurs and is maintained when basic psychological needs are not being satisfied. When deprived needs causing crime are satisfied in an optimal manner, autonomous motivation to desist and reductions in crime-related factors will follow, resulting in crime desistance. The goal of the study is to develop and provide some support for this framework of crime desistance and compare it to the currently dominating theory of crime desistance, the revised age-graded informal social control (AGISC) theory. Two studies were conducted utilizing a multimethod approach. The first quantitative study prospectively tested whether aspects of the PSC framework are supported by determining whether the framework can predict crime desistance in 60 released offenders after a 7-year follow-up and compare it to the currently dominating explanation of crime desistance. The second study is a prospective case study of 3 federal offenders during their first few months of release from federal incarceration. Results provide support for the development of the PSC framework. Protective strategies, motivation and criminogenic risk factors significantly predicted crime desistance after 7 years. In addition, the PSC framework significantly added to the prediction of the AGISC theory for 2 of the 4 crime desistance outcome measures. Study 2 also provided some support and explanation to the findings of study 1. The final section presents a discussion of the overall conclusions, implications of the results, limitations and future directions.

Inuit exercise a significant degree of self-determination in Nunavut through the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, particularly in the area of non-renewable resource development. Self-determination is linked to both Inuit and Canadian identity and conceptualized in its democratic form as relationships of autonomy and interdependence mediated by resource management institutions. This thesis argues that democratic self-determination depends on local experiences of reciprocity and legitimate institutional representation. Nunavut’s institutional actors have the potential to establish locally acceptable norms of reciprocity and representation through (quasi-) constitutionally mandated Inuit Associations, an Inuit public government at the municipal and territorial levels, and resource co-management boards. Using a qualitative research methodology involving document analysis, semi-structured interviews and participant observation, this thesis explores how residents of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, are experiencing democratic self-determination from the perspectives of representation and reciprocity. Results indicate that conflict between municipalities and Inuit Associations over the distribution of resource benefits can overshadow attitudes of reciprocity between public and Inuit spheres. Although both Inuit Associations and public governments are seen as legitimately representing local interests in resource development, each have distinct roles: Inuit Associations negotiate Impact and Benefit Agreements with industry as a matter of right, while public government’s role is the responsible delivery of social services. The legitimacy of Inuit Associations as representatives of Inuit interests was challenged by a minority of research participants who expressed concerns about elitism and unaccountability of Inuit officials, and educational barriers to non-elite participation in decision-making. Meanwhile the criticisms registered against the public governments illustrated contemporary attitudes of resentment based on a history of colonialism and distance from centre to periphery. The Nunavut Impact Review Board was found to be a valuable mechanism for managing Inuit-state relations in its ability to foster trust, though its ability to determine the just distribution of resource benefits is circumscribed. Ultimately, this research suggests that from the perspective of reciprocity and legitimate representation, the birth of Nunavut should not be considered an end to the struggle for greater local democratic control over economic and political destinies.

Syfte Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur idrottare upplever socialt stöd vid långvariga skador. Särskilt fokus ligger på hur tränarens sociala stöd upplevs av idrottare samt hur det kan underlätta en idrottslig comeback. Vilken typ av socialt stöd har idrottare erhållit eller saknat under sin rehabilitering? Hur har idrottare som erhållit ett bra socialt stöd agerat och vad kan de som upplevt en saknad göra för att få ett ökat socialt stöd? Hur anser idrottare att tränare bör agera för att underlätta rehabiliteringen? Metod Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ ansats vilket innebär att sju individer medverkat i semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Deltagarna hade varit borta i minst två månader på grund av idrottsskada. Informationen från intervjuerna analyserades i programmet NVivo 10.  Resultatet granskades genom ett Self-Determination Theory perspektiv. Resultat Den största delen av det sociala stödet som idrottarna erhållit har upplevts positivt. Deltagarna har upplevt stöd ifrån olika källor samt av olika typer: emotionellt stöd, materiellt stöd, informativt stöd och tillhörighetsstöd. I resultatet framkom det ett nytt fenomen som benämns som negativt stöd. Överdrivet stöd från omgivningen upplevdes negativt och stressande. Alla deltagare var medvetna hur de agerat för att erhålla ett bra socialt stöd eller vad de kunde gjort för att få ett ökat socialt stöd. Den mängd socialt stöd idrottarna erhållit har påverkats till en viss del av idrottarnas eget agerande. Deltagarna ansåg att stöd och engagemang ifrån tränare underlättade en comeback. Slutsats Idrottarna i denna studie uppgav att socialt stöd hjälpt dem under sin rehabiliteringstid. Genom att känna tillhörighet, uppleva kompetens och genom att fatta sina egna beslut kan en idrottare underlätta sin rehabilitering. Framförallt finns det saker som både tränare och idrottare kan göra för att idrottaren ska få ett bra eller ökat socialt stöd.

Swedish households are getting deeper in debt and house prices keeps on rising. This is what happened in USA and it was one of the major causes of the recent financial crisis. To avoid a similar crisis in Sweden we think one part of the solution is to make sure that those who are students today and soon will get jobs, buy houses, take loans etcetera have necessary knowledge to do so. Students’ saving is an area that almost completely lacked researchers’ attention, and one goal with this thesis is to point out why it’s an important subject and to increase interest among other researchers. We want to give other researcher a foundation to start from, to give an idea of what students saving looks like, so they can continue to explore this important subject. Our research is using theories developed on private saving in American households as a background, and two psychological theories, The theory of planned behavior by Ajzen (1991) and Self-determination theory by Deci and Ryan (2000) as a foundation. This thesis primary focus is on researching students attitude towards saving, students attitude towards stocks and students motivation towards saving. This is researched by distributing a Likert Scale based questionnaire to two groups, business students and technical energy students, a total of 133 students. The answers were collected in two classrooms and all students agreed to fill in the questionnaire leaving us with no non-response bias. The result was very positive and quite surprising. A majority of the students in our study have a positive attitude towards saving, a slightly positive attitude towards stocks and they are motivated to save. Our conclusion is that although the result is positive students saving and students knowledge about saving can be further improved by more education.