There is very little theoretical literature about theatrical improvisation as it connects to ideas and practices of relating and specifically to ideas and practices of social work relating. This thesis involves efforts to theorize moments of relating – of being with others – in improvisation. A group of hospital social workers and a group of PhD social work research students participated in the study. The participants took part in improvisational workshops designed specifically for the study, as well as one-on-one and group interviews. This thesis explores what was created between research participants in improvisational workshops: the response-ability to and for others; an experience of grappling with the desire for control; and an embodied apprehension of interdependence. The study demonstrates an embodied and uncomfortable experience of the dominance of individualism in our relating. The study also demonstrates ways in which the art of theatrical improvisation can allow us to take up the transformative promises of social constructionism in social work relating. The thesis aims to make living space for central social constructionist concepts such as mutual constitution and interdependence – to explore and consider what happens when we fully recognize and carry these out in our practices of relating. Providing a different way into these central social constructionist concepts, this study contributes to arts-informed research, teaching and practice. More specifically, the research shows how the art of improvisation can provide transformative possibilities for social work pedagogy and the social work classroom. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This thesis involves efforts to theorize moments of relating – of being with others – in improvisation. A group of hospital social workers and a group of PhD social work research students participated in the study. The participants took part in improvisational workshops designed specifically for the study, as well as one-on-one and group interviews. This thesis explores what was created between research participants in improvisational workshops: the response-ability to and for others; an experience of grappling with the desire for control; and an embodied apprehension of interdependence. The study demonstrates an embodied and uncomfortable experience of the dominance of individualism in our relating and provides an analysis of engagement in improvisation as an alternative to a framework of independence in social work. The study contributes potential for arts-informed research, teaching, and practice, as well as social work pedagogy as it demonstrates ways in which the art of improvisation can allow us to take up the transformative promises of social constructionism in social work relating.

The study is based on the pre-schools principal's descriptions of their work with language and the multilingualism's developing working methods in learning organizations to promote multilingualism and the language development of and for children in preschool. Social constructionism and Theoretical perspective on learning organizations are the theories in which the study is based, empirical data were collected via four semi-structured interviews. To analyse the empirics, a thematic analysis method was used. The purpose of the study is to investigate and make visible how principals describe the possible multilingualism of preschool activities and language-stimulating teaching strategies. Based on the purpose, two issues were formed; “How do principals in preschool activities describe the supportive working methods of multilingualism based on management level? What possible initiatives and dilemmas can be found when working with multilingualism and language development teaching for preschool children from a perspective on learning organizations according to the principals' description?”. The result led to the following conclusion: That the representatives have a great ability and knowledge regarding language development methods in preschool. It was also made clear in the study that the representatives work towards long-term goals with different strategies and methods as pedagogical leaders. Increased competence and constant development are seen as an asset by the representatives, however, the results showed that the representatives had different views on how educators should acquire increased competence in language as well as multilingual development methods or methods. Another dilemma that stands out in the result was that the representatives do not have the opportunity to make all decisions on their own, but in some situations the administration makes decisions that the representatives do not have the opportunity to influence, which may have a direct or indirect impact on the activity or activities for which the representatives are the principal, which will then have a direct or indirect impact on the children and guardians who have their children enrolled in these activities.

This thesis examines young people's thoughts about their presence on social media. With a social constructive approach the study focused on how young people think and act on social media in relation to constructions of gender and normality. The analysis is based on four group interviews with 13-year old boys and girls. The theoretical approach is based partly on social constructionism where discourses and ideas of normality are identified and analyzed. Erving Goffman's theory of social interaction was central to illustrate how young people presents themselves based on the prevailing discourses. It is clear that they adjust their representations of themselves depending on the context. Theories of new media and young people as digital natives were relevant for the study to understand how and why young people act as they do in their use of social media. The study also highlights the ignorance of adults perceptions about young peoples presence on social media. This is related to Stanley Cohen's theory of moral panic. In conclusion, one can say that the interviewees are well established in the digital media landscape and social media is a natural part of their everyday lives. They see risks but also opportunities where they can share across social networks and be a part of an interactive platform in constant change. The young people relate to norms and gender constructions that are historically and culturally imprinted. On social media they perceive themselves according to ruling discourses that makes them fit in, in the situation. / Denna uppsats undersöker ungdomars tankar om deras varande på sociala medier. Med utgångspunkt från en socialkonstruktionistiskt teoriansats inriktades uppsatsen till att undersöka hur ungdomarna förhåller sig till genuskonstruktioner och olika normsystem. Genom fyra gruppintervjuer med både tjejer och killar i sjunde klass insamlades materialet som ligger till grund för den genomförda analysen. De teoretiska utgångspunkterna bygger dels på socialkonstruktionism där diskurser och normer identifierats och undersökts. Erving Goffmans teori om social interaktion var central för att belysa hur ungdomarna presenterar sig själva utifrån rådande diskurser. För förståelse för hur och varför ungdomarna agerar som de gör vid deras användande av sociala medier var teorier om nya medier och de unga som den digitala generationen relevanta. Uppsatsen belyser också vuxnas okunskap om ungas varande på sociala medier vilket relateras till Stanley Cohens teori om moralpanik. Avslutningsvis går att konstatera att ungdomarna är väl etablerade i det digitala medielandskapet och sociala medier är en stor och naturlig del av deras vardag. De ser risker men också möjligheter med att kunna dela med sig över sociala medier och vara en del av en interaktiv plattform i ständig förändring. Ungdomarna förhåller sig till normer och genuskonstruktioner som bygger på socialt konstruerade föreställningar som upplevs vara starkt historiskt och kulturellt präglade. Den manliga blicken identifieras som en social konstruktion vilken alla de intervjuade agerar utifrån.

Yes / Current literature has indicated a concern about standards of maternity care experienced by pregnant women who are seeking asylum. As the next generation of midwives, it is important that students are educated in a way that prepares them to effectively care for these women. To understand how this can be achieved, it is important to explore what asylum seeking means to midwifery students. This article is the first of three parts and reports on one objective from a wider doctorate study. It identifies dominant discourses that influenced the perceptions of a group of midwifery students' about the pregnant asylum seeking woman. The study was designed from a social constructivist perspective, with contextual knowledge being constructed by groups of people, influenced by underpinning dominant discourses, depending on their social, cultural and historical positions in the world. In a United Kingdom University setting, during year two of a pre-registration midwifery programme, eleven midwifery students participated in the study. Two focus group interviews using a problem based learning scenario as a trigger for discussion were conducted. In addition, three students were individually interviewed to explore issues in more depth and two students' written reflections on practice were used to generate data. Following a critical discourse analysis, dominant discourses were identified which appeared to influence the way in which asylum seekers were perceived. The findings suggested an underpinning ideology around the asylum seeker being different and of a criminal persuasion. Although the pregnant woman seeking asylum was considered as deserving of care, the same discourses appeared to influence the way in which she was constructed. However, as the study progressed, through reading alternative sources of literature, some students appeared to question these discourses. These findings have implications for midwifery education in encouraging students to challenge negative discourses and construct positive perceptions of asylum seeking.

The digital era has significantly transformed many aspects of society, including prostitution, with the internet emerging as a central platform for the trade of sexual services. This shift has introduced new challenges for social workers tasked with supporting women involved in online prostitution. This study investigates social workers' approaches to identifying and assisting these women, highlighting the difficulties encountered in this context. Through focus groups discussions, the research reveals that while social workers aim to provide effective support, their methods are often shaped by preconceived notions and a lack of comprehensive understanding of online prostitution. Additionally, the study examines how social workers' approaches are influenced by their perceptions and connections to social constructionist theory and sexual script theory. The findings indicate that traditional approaches may be insufficient to address the complexities associated with online prostitution, underscoring the need for specialized professional development. The study emphasizes the importance of nuanced and empathetic strategies to better cater to the unique experiences and needs of women involved in online prostitution.

The Holocaust represented humanities first confrontation with unparalleled destruction and evil unchecked. It continues to impact upon the lives of survivors, their children- the second generation- and generations thereafter. The study aimed to provide the second generation with a voice. Their roles within their respective family systems and the impact of the Holocaust upon them are explored. The theoretical framework is social constructionism. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with three adults whose parent/s are survivors. The manner of analysis was `Hermeneutic.' The participants' narratives took the form of interview transcripts. These were analysed and themed by the researcher. Themes that repeated themselves were elaborated upon and later linked with the available literature. The researcher hopes that the dissertation will contribute to existing research on the multigenerational effects of trauma in relation to familial and individual roles and memory. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study was aimed at giving a voice to two people, constructed as anxious. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Two in-depth interviews with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of others of themselves as anxious, were done. The 'case study approach' was chosen as most suitable method to gain access to the information. 'Thematic content analysis' was the method of analysis. The life stories of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these life stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the life stories of two anxious people to emerge. Amongst the identified themes, 'sensitivity' and the need for 'authenticity' were identified as particularly important areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people wishing to gain a better understanding of either their own or their loved one's anxiety could also benefit from this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This postmodern dissertation examines three individual experiences of violence in South Africa, using the qualitative research method of heuristics. Using social constructionism as a lens for viewing the phenomenon, violence is seen as occurring within a specific ecology, which is part of the individual's fluctuating, subjective reality. This discussion proposes that the violent experience, to which meanings are attributed, is part of the individual's socially constructed ecology. This ecology can either be transformed or conserved through dialogue, specifically dialogue relating to the telling of the story of the violent experience. This is discussed in relation to therapeutic encounters. The primary objective of the research is the implication of ecological thinking generally and, more specifically, ecological thinking on violence, for therapeutic interactions and psychological theory. This discussion also refers to psychological ethics. / Psychology / MA (CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY)

The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of dynamic relationships within families, and indicating how the decision to divorce may result from a family's difficulty in adjusting to new changes and stressors. Thus, divorce results in the redefinition of a nuclear system. This study made use of social constructionism as its epistemological framework. By means of in-depth one-on-one interviews, the researcher was able to hear the narratives of all six participants. Hermeneutics was used to analyze the data. The participants' stories were reencountered through the researcher's own frame of reference in which common themes of the divorce process were co-constructed. These themes were later elaborated on and a comparative analysis was undertaken to link them to the available literature. The information gained from the study could contribute to existing research on the impact of divorce, family reorganization following a divorce, and offer a new perspective in understanding family systems. / Clinical Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study was aimed at giving a voice to two people, constructed as anxious. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Two in-depth interviews with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of others of themselves as anxious, were done. The 'case study approach' was chosen as most suitable method to gain access to the information. 'Thematic content analysis' was the method of analysis. The life stories of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these life stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the life stories of two anxious people to emerge. Amongst the identified themes, 'sensitivity' and the need for 'authenticity' were identified as particularly important areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people wishing to gain a better understanding of either their own or their loved one's anxiety could also benefit from this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)