Master theses / Department of Sociology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://gupea-staging.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/4750

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Genocide as Warfare & the Destruction of Gaza’s Healthcare Infrastructure
(2025-06-24) Cogle, Rodrica; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
This case study examines the relationship between genocide by attrition and modern warfare through the lens of Gaza’s health infrastructure. Drawing on Martin Shaw’s framework of genocide as a form of war and Geoff Bowker’s concept of infrastructural inversion, the thesis analyzes how healthcare infrastructure can become strategic targets and instruments of structural violence. The study is structured in three parts: (1) the policies and practices of the Oslo Process (1990s–2000s), which imposed restrictions on movement and medical supplies; (2) the material constraints produced by the Blockade and Iron Wall (2007–2014); and (3) the direct targeting of healthcare infrastructure (2014–2024), during which hospitals were transformed into overcrowded shelters, mass graves, and traps for displaced civilians. By focusing on health infrastructure as the unit of analysis, the thesis illustrates how systems of care become sites of attritional violence. Using public health data, human rights reports, news media, and historical documentation, the study demonstrates how artificially imposed constraints contribute to indirect mortality and the long-term degradation of collective survival. This research challenges the conventional focus on immediate mass death within genocide studies. It argues that material conditions may act as a driving force of the genocide processes.
Voices overlooked: a study of emotional reactions to misrecognition and epistemic injustices in #MeToo testimonies from Sweden and the United States.
(2025-06-24) Yngstrand, Tilda; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
This thesis explores the emotional responses to experiences of misrecognition and epistemic injustice as expressed in #MeToo testimonies. Through a comparative analysis of testimonies from Sweden and the United States, the study investigates two questions: (1) What emotions can be identified within testimonies of sexual assault that demonstrate denial of social recognition and experiences of epistemic injustices? (2) Are there any observable differences or similarities in the expressions of emotions resulting from denial of social recognition and experiences of epistemic injustice expressed by survivors in #MeToo testimonies from Sweden and the U.S., and what do they teach us about each country’s emotional regime? Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Honneth’s (1995) theory of recognition and Fricker’s (2007) concept of epistemic injustice, the study employs an abductive approach and narrative analysis to interpret survivor testimonies. The findings identify a range of emotions: anger, frustration, fear, shame, empathy, disappointment, courage, relief, sadness, pride, and disgust. Thus, #MeToo is not only a platform for disclosure but also for a collective protest that can enable more positive and empowering emotions, even in the face of misrecognition and epistemic injustice. Swedish narratives display a broader emotional spectrum—including emotions of relief, sadness, pride and disgust, that were absent in U.S. testimonies—suggesting a more supportive cultural climate for emotional articulation. While both Swedish and U.S. testimonies reflect shared emotions, such as anger and shame etc., they differ in narrative emphasis, Swedish testimonies often express emotions linked to not being heard, indicating relational misrecognition, whereas U.S. testimonies highlight not being believed, reflecting deeper epistemic injustices. These findings underscore how emotional regimes, including national, cultural and institutional contexts, shape the emotional reactions to social disdain.
Från ambition till frustration - En kvalitativ studie om högutbildade migranter på den svenska arbetsmarknaden
(2024-09-23) Kashefi, Hamed; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
This thesis examines the challenges and barriers faced by highly educated migrants, particularly Iranians, at the Swedish labor market. Using a qualitative method based on 12 semi-structured interviews, the experiences of highly educated migrants are analyzed to identify the main factors affecting their opportunities to secure employment that matches their qualifications. The study highlights the importance of social capital, human capital, and language skills, as well as the structural discrimination present in the recruitment process. The findings indicate that discrimination and lack of language proficiency are key obstacles, while social capital can serve as a bridge to better employment opportunities. The study recommends reforms in language learning programs like SFI and stricter regulations for recruitment processes to counteract discrimination and promote the integration of highly educated migrants. Denna studie undersöker de hinder och svårigheter som högutbildade migranter, med fokus på iranier, stöter på inom den svenska arbetsmarknaden. Genom att använda en kvalitativ metod med 12 semistrukturerade intervjuer analyseras migranternas erfarenheter för att identifiera de främsta faktorerna som påverkar deras möjligheter att få arbeten som motsvarar deras kvalifikationer. Studien belyser vikten av socialt kapital, humankapital och språkkunskaper samt de strukturella former av diskriminering som förekommer under anställningsprocessen. Resultaten pekar på att diskriminering och otillräckliga språkkunskaper utgör stora hinder, medan socialt kapital kan underlätta tillgången till bättre jobbmöjligheter. Studien föreslår reformer av språkinlärningsprogram som SFI och strängare regleringar inom rekryterings-processer för att motverka diskriminering och stödja integrationen av högutbildade migranter.
Att motverka segregation - Ett sociologiskt perspektiv av Göteborgs Stads strategier för att bemöta segregation
(2023-05-29) Lindberg, Rebecca; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The purpose of this study is to find out how the city of Gothenburg defines segregation and the presented solutions for counteracting the problem. The sub-purpose aims to understand how the strategies are influenced by national directives. By using a qualitative approach, a review of a governance document together with eight semi-structured interviews was conducted amongst municipal employees positioned in the city of Gothenburg. Previous research shows that segregation are a result of that different population groups are systematically distributed in the social space regarding forms of living, workspaces, and schools, according to stereotypical notions caused by media discourses about characteristics such as social class, race, culture, criminality, and religion, which is produced and reproduced through existing class affiliations, territorial stigmatization, racialization and self-otherification. Results of this study shows that the cooperation between those involved is deficient because they tend to focus on the individual issues instead of the social economic profit. Most of the strategies seem to be derived from local political directives, while the national directives provide as conditions for whether the intended local strategies are feasible or not. Further, the employees and the presented strategies, seem to have selective perceptions about vulnerable areas as causing the segregation, and thus the consequences are stigmatizing and discriminatory towards the people who live in the vulnerable areas as problematic for the rest of society. Since underlying socio-economic factors and social class dimensions are not addressed adequately, are thus no proposals for real interventions to be able to change the conditions.
The Emergence of the social strike - A new opportunity for labour?
(2019-05-24) Ottosson, Viktor; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
In recent years a new emergent form of collective action – the social strike – has been discussed in social movement networks. So far, the concept of social strike has only surfaced briefly in previous research and this article aims to deepen the understanding of the concept and why it is emerging in our historical moment. In order to do this the article looks at a social movement network called Transnational Social Strike Platform (TSS). In the analysis both movement texts produced by TSS was used as well as ethnographic material collected at an assembly meeting in London. According to my analysis it is hard to define the social strike as a distinct form of collective action. Instead, the emergence of the concept of social strike should be located at the historical impasse of late capitalism. I suggest that the concept of social strike offers an imaginary solution to the disappearance of the working class as a political subject and reflects the eclipse of organised labour. The social strike uses the symbolic dimensions of the strike as a symbol of resistance but detaches the strike from its material base in waged labour. In this process, the strike becomes a multivocal symbol that can be invoked by actors in order to give symbolic support and discursive legitimisation to their struggles. As the symbolic dimensions of the strike gets increasingly detached from its material anchor in waged labour the value of using the strike as a symbol of resistance may erode as it no longer can deliver the concrete material effects of collective work stoppage that historically has given the strike its pivotal role in labour struggles.
Post-Columbine - en kvalitativ studie av sju skolskjutningar
(2012-06-21) Thodelius, Charlotta; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The study has got three aims. The first purpose is to implement the Newman et al.s rampage theory (2004) in a more dominant European context. In this way, the theory’s strengths and weaknesses can be exposed. The second objective is to look at the motive. By studying the offender’s life experience and their justification of the action, a deeper understanding can be developed. The third is to relate the phenomena to a broader theoretical perspective in form of conflict and conflict management. In this study a single case study is used in two steps. The first analysis is a holistic case study; where the process in each case is analyzed. The second step is based on a pattern matching between the seven cases, to test the theory and add the conflict perspective into the analysis. The primary data is produced by the offender, in the form of documents, pictures and movies. The secondary data is official documents considering the cases. The main results shows that Newman et al.s theory is relevant, even when it is applied in a broader geographic context. The strength of the theory is the focus on the phenomena as a multicasual process. The weaknesses with the theory, is the factors concerning “under the radar” and “access to gun”. The individual justified there action emotionally, where the humiliation experienced in school transform into righteous rage. By relating the phenomena to a broader theoretical perspective and looking at the conflicts part in the process, a deeper understanding is developed for the emotional and situational factors, which both justifies the action and make the situation escalate for the individual.
Polisens kunskap – allmänhetens trygghet En utvärdering av polisområde Älvsborgs trygghetsmätning
(2012-06-21) Lenjesson, Mia; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
Aim is to investigate from a criminological perspective how the safety questionnaire in Älvsborg police district can be improved theoretically and methodologically, in order for the questionnaire to effectively measure criminal victimisation, concern about crime, safety and confidence in the police. 1. What should a good questionnaire contain? - Which methodological problems are related to measuring criminal victimisation, concern about crime and confidence in the police? - Which criminological theories are interesting in this context and how can questions be designed from these theories? 2. How will the themes now represented in the questionnaire be measured in the best possible way? Are there any reasons to remove, The material consists of questions from the safety questionnaire, the total analysis report and individual reports for the local authorities, as well the results and technical information from Mind Research. The material has been analysed from theoretical, methodological and usability criteria’s. Theoretically the questionnaires operationalization from social disorganisation theory, reassurance policing theory and previous research has been evaluated. In order to examine the safety questionnaire from a policing perspective focus has been on the reassurance theory. Methodologically the execution, generalizability, validity and reliability have been examined. The usability has been examined by examining how the police have used the results in practise. The results indicate that theoretically factors are missing from the questionnaire. Methodologically the questionnaire as a whole had good a response rates, some areas had lower response rates than others. As a recommendation weighing of the results and complementary methods are made in order to increase the response rates. Some questions show low responses, other had problems with reliability. The validity problem was not as substantial but certain factors were missing. It would be desirable to formulate new questions in order to increase validity in the operationalization process. Practically the analysis reports shows problem due to reliability problems. Thorough analysis would have led to better suggestions for the local authorities. New questions for each theme are suggested, as well how the questions can be used practically also how they are linked to theory.
Det är inte det att jag kan rädda världen - En analys av hur en grupp polisers engagemang formas
(2012-06-21) Alverbratt, Per; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The aim of this study was to create an understanding of how a group of community policing officers engagement are shaped. Previous research argues that there is a police culture which conveys cynicism to the individual police. The research also says that the police adopt a pessimistic view of society, they are isolated and at odds with the rest of society. Furthermore, research has also shown how a narrative can exist that explains the police way of doing things. My contribution to the field is to explore how a narrative can be located, which precedes and shapes the police engagement. I am searching after a structure in the narrative, elements which the narrative revolves around, and how its content can be understood. Participating observations and interviews were carried out with a team of community policing officers in Gothenburg. Based on the experience of everyday police work an interview guide was created in which the police were given the opportunity to express their own thoughts about what is important to their sense of engagement. The result has been created from a theoretical basis mainly derived from symbolic interactionism and narrative analysis. Four elements are identified in an collective narrative. These show that police engagement is related to the officers ability to be creative and communicative, and that they are eager to seek development and meaningfulness of work through relationships. It also shows that engagement is related to the possibility of obtaining concrete results as well as a perceived participation in their occupation. It is argued that police officers express a different form of policing than the previous research presented. It is also emphasized that the police need to experience more concrete results in the context of their occupation.
Olovlig frånvaro i skolan som problem och diskurs. Rättigheter och skyldigheter i den samtida utbildningspolitiken
(2012-06-21) Edenroth Cato, Fanny; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The purpose of this study is to examine the changes in law and other types of politicial regulation regarding unauthorized absence during the reformation of the Swedish school system in 2010. How was this ”new” approach on unauthorized absence established; what made it possible and which view on ”unauthorized absence” does it implicate? The study has a discourse analytic approach in which it examines central policy documents regarding the topic of inquiry. The study has found that the alliance-government’s education policy on unauthorized absence is pervaded by one hegemonic discourse termed the mono-cultural disciplinary discourse. The delineation of the discourse order also reveals a subordinated counter discourse, the rights discourse. Each discourse holds a latent construction of the unauthorized absent pupils, ”the guilty” and ”the vulnerable”, and among those who wish to get authorized absence, ”the religious” and ”the high-achievers.” The hegemonic discourse reveals a liability shift. The transformation of the axiom ”school responsibility” is a manifestation of a political shift to ”advanced liberalism” here characterized by a responsibilization of the pupils and their guardians regarding unauthorized absence as a social problem. Furthermore, this study shows that the political struggle over financial aid in high school – which discloses the ”new” view on unauthorized absence - is inextricably bound to the power struggle between the rights discourse and the mono-cultural disciplinary discourse.
Handarbetets sociala rum - om emotionshantering och kollektiv identitet i handarbetsrörelsen
(2012-04-24) Corein, Kim; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate emotions and collective identity in the handicraft movement. Which are the collective identities of craft movement, and is it possible to speak of an over all collective identity among the handicraft people? I will also examine the emotion work both on individual and group level. Eight qualitative interviews were conducted to achieve the aim of this thesis. Research has previously drawn attention to handicraft from a gender and a historical perspective but never from an emotional one. The theoretical framework derives from an emotion sociological perspective where Collins interaction rituals, emotional energy and Hochschild’s emotion management is the main theses. Collective identity are analysed with theories from Melucci´s and Barbalet’s macro sociological emotional approach. The result shows that emotions have a big part in creating collective identity. The collective identity is based on ideological approaches and is created by interaction rituals. These interaction rituals elaborates an opportunity to get emotional energy, which in turn inspires the respondents’ to express their identity trough handicraft.
Villkorad av verkligheten - Om produktionen av Arbetsförmedlingens yrkesbeskrivningar
(2011-10-26) Linde, Malin; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The first aim of this study is to describe how the public employment service (PES) produces occupational descriptions. The second aim is to analyse the conditions for that production. Method: The empiric material consists of seven qualitative interviews with employed at PES, operational plan for the team working with descriptions on occupations and observation notes. The overall theme in the study is Foucaults perspective on power. The conditions for production of occupational descriptions are understood in the light of the governmentality perspective and the concept of employability. Bourdieu´s concept habitus, symbolic violence and capital are used to articulate the officials’ values and experiences. Eight officials at PES produce the occupational descriptions. They work together in pairs and are responsible for a few occupational groups each. The occupational descriptions are produced and up-dated by means of different kind of sources. For example interviews with unions, trade organisations and/or members of different occupational groups. Individual, organisational and social conditions were found to influence the shaping of the occupational descriptions. Individual conditions were e.g. the officials’ background and experiences that influenced notions of occupations. The organisational conditions were e.g. notions of how occupations were to be described and the officials work with occupational forecasts. Social conditions were found to be e.g. notions of employability. The employability discourse colours the occupational descriptions through the officials’ work with occupational forecasts. The notion of different types of occupations is seen as another social condition, a notion that has implications for the production of the occupational descriptions.
Områdets polis eller polisens område? En analys av hur områdespolisen i Bergsjön gör sig relevant för sitt område och sin organisation
(2011-10-21) Johansson, Erika; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The aim of the thesis is to illustrate how a group of community policing officers makes themselves relevant to their community, this in relation to wider organizational circumstances and exterior structures of society. Earlier research on the subject tells us that community policing can be proactive and crime preventing in such a way that the confidence and trust in the police is increased. Research is also making clear that proactive police work is hard to measure and evaluate, which is why my contribution to the field is to explore how this effects the way the police officers in Bergsjön, Gothenburg is making themselves relevant and the way that they see themselves as community policing officers. The relationship police – community will be regarded as how someone treats their audience, attentive to its feedback, in order to get ones message out, in this case confidence and trust in the police, under influence of the audit society. To achieve the aim of the thesis, participating observation was chosen, to experience the police officers everyday work. The observations were carried out during 15 shifts à 10 hours. Field notes were taken and afterword transcribed. The results show that the community police can make themselves relevant for the community in two ways. As a “law officer” gaining confidence by being a powerful force, and as “peace officer” gaining trust through personal relations. This however is complicated by the organization demanding police work to be measurable, which is a problem for the law officer resulting in community police officers trying to make their work measurable or doing measurable work. It is argued that both law and peace officer strategies are needed in creating confidence and trust.
Emotioner och emotionella uttryck i Sverige och Grekland
(2011-10-21) Sideridou, Nicki; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The purpose is to explore and describe norms and values concerning emotions and emotional expression in Sweden and Greece from an emotionsociological perspective. Do emotional regimes on a national level exist and if they do, how do they differ? To answer this question qualitative interviews have been conducted with nine Greek/Swedes, men and women of different ages, who have lived in both countries and who speak both languages. A quantitative survey study, employing a survey previously used in a Swedish study about emotions, has also been undertaken. Previous studies have shown that emotional regimes do differ historically and across cultures, but no study so far has focused on the differences between examples of North European and South European cultures. The theoretical framework consists mainly of Hochschild´s theories about feeling/display rules and emotion work, but the analysis also draws on Collin´s theory of interaction ritual chains and on Sociology of Emotions more broadly. The results suggest that different national regimes can be distinguished primarily in terms of display rules and in the skills of emotional alternations. Emotions are encouraged in public, and required to be intense/“spontaneous”, in Greece. In Sweden emotions are kept in private and expressions are subtle. Conflict renders emotional energy in Greece, while the opposite goes for Sweden. Despite the differences, it is suggested that emotion work and control are shared (universal) phenomena. Gender differences between and within the regimes and between generations were also observed. Further research is required to support these results.
Muslim Participation in the Public Sphere in Sweden
(2011-10-18) Rasan, Imad; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
This paper aims to investigate Muslims’ participation in the various public spheres in Sweden. Using case study and discourse analysis as methods, textual and visual material from Swedish mass media has been analysed to explore certain questions. The results show that there are three types of Islamic public sphere: the distinctive Sunni, the distinctive Shi’ite and the open type. In addition, there is Muslim participation in the central Swedish public sphere. The results also show that there are three different perceptions of Swedish society, and its dominant norms and values. The first perception is of Swedish society as completely different, in its dominant liberal norms and values, from Islamic communities. The second perception is that Swedish society is fragmented in terms of its dominant norms and values; most of the values are acceptable but the norms should be refused. Muslims with the third perception see Swedish society as diverse and multicultural, comprising numerous groups including the Muslim community; they regard most dominant Swedish norms and values as supplementing those of Islam, and combine them in a single Swedish Islamic identity.
The Patient, The Doctor and Their Technologies – Change and Continuity Within Patient-Centred Care
(2011-10-18) Lydahl, Doris; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
This article aims at analysing the history of the logic of patient-centred care (PCC) by addressing change and continuity within the development of this rationality of healthcare government. Making use of the theoretical framework of governmentality, the problematization of healthcare as insufficiently patient-centred is examined in relation to both the thoughts and actions of Michael Balint in the 1950s and 1960s and the ideas and initial research projects connected with the establishment of the University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care in 2010. It is shown that in both cases the aim is to take account of the „whole patient‟ in the organization of healthcare delivery, but that the goals and methods for doing so differ significantly. It is shown that Balint emphasized the doctor‟s own personality as the most decisive tool for achieving quality in healthcare delivery meaning that the logic of PCC should be directed towards shaping and forming the subjectivity of the doctor in his professional role as a general practitioner. Within the contemporary logic of person-centred care found in Gothenburg, the ambition is to reform the conduct and subjectivities of doctors and patients alike in order to enable both to become more accountable, self-directing and self-regulating in their actions. Such a realignment of healthcare delivery is seen as necessary and desirable in order to facilitate a more efficient and responsible management of chronic long-term illnesses. It is argued that this new programme of healthcare government can be associated with a more general shift in government rationality from welfarism to advanced liberalism.
Problembilder av ungdomars politiska utanförskap - En studie av projektet ”Demokrati för alla”
(2011-10-18) Behlin, Anna-Klara; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
Aims: The aim of this study is to describe how youth’s political exclusion is constructed as a social problem. This is done through a study of a project which aim is to engage young people in politics. Method and theory: By interviewing the project’s manager and developer as well as eight participating young people different constructions of the problem of youth political exclusion has been analyzed using the social constructionist perspective on social problems. Findings: The dominant perspective found in the empirical material includes framing young people’s lack of political knowledge and self-confidence as the reason for their political exclusion. Even though the Youth Board (ungdomsstyrelsen) in Sweden officially views all young people as a resource, when youth politics are implemented through projects, this is not the view that young people meet. Because projects need problems that can be solved through work with individuals, structural reasons (for example socioeconomic status) are neglected. Therefore the young people have to take full responsibility for their political exclusion. However, instead of framing young people as incompetent in political matters, it is argued that youth as a marginalized group have less access to alternative discourses and therefore are less likely to construct successful claims.
Using Complexity Theory Methods for Sociological Theory Development - With a Case Study on Socio-Technical Transitions
(2011-08-12) Törnberg, Anton; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
During the last few decades the interest in Complexity Theory (CT) methods in sociology has increased, partly as a result of the increased complexity in sociological theory and partly of that these methods have become more powerful and accessible. However, despite this increased interest, the application of CT-methods still holds a peripheral existence within mainstream sociology. Based on a review of the contemporary discussion regarding computer-based modeling in sociology, it is argued that the reasons for this include a strong focus in the distinction between social and natural systems as well as a lack of connections from CT-models to existing theories. As an alternative to this, the application of more abstract models with the explicit purpose of theory development is suggested to complement traditional sociological methods. Ways of connecting models to theories to enable such theory development are proposed. This discussion is exemplified in a case study with the purpose of further developing the theoretical framework Multi-Level Perspective (MPL), which describes socio-technical transitions in society. The case study consists of an Agent-based Model that analyzes the result of consumer network structure on the strength of product lock-ins, finding that increased globalization may leas to stronger lock-ins and thus making transitions to sustainable products more difficult. Based on the conclusions on this article, it is suggested that integrating CT-methods into the sociological inquiry may provide fresh and deep insights and open up new areas of research.
Socialt stöd efter våldtäkt
(2011-06-28) Lundberg, Karolina; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The focus of this study is on the nature of social support from the rape survivor's perspective. Research has shown that social support is essential to the survivor's ability to recover from rape and that it acts as a powerful tool for the survivor to effectively deal with the PTSD symptoms that follow rape. The research also shows that survivors often receive or interpret reactions after a rape as negative. Hence, these reactions can be detrimental tothe healing process. Qualitative interviews with six women on their experience of social support after rape form the base of this study and Anthony Giddens terms ontological security, fateful moments and bodily self-management are a part of the analytical apparatus. Rape is commonly analyzed from a feminist perspective. By utilizing Giddens' theories, recovery-oriented views arise. Data show that rape survivors interpret reactions as positive or negative depending on who the person reacting is rather than what the reaction is. All but one of seven identified types of reactions can be interpreted as either negative or positive. Only emotional support was consistently interpreted as positive. Results suggest that existent Anglo-American research can be applicable in a Swedish context. Finally uggestions are made that further research should investigate effects of rape and conditions for recovery in uantitative studies that probe the PTSD symptoms and interpretations of social support by rape survivors.
Producing “Healthy” Girl Subjectivities – Pharmaceutical Advertising of the HPV Vaccine in Sweden
(2011-06-28) Lindén, Lisa; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
The aim of this study is to explore how Swedish HPV vaccine advertising campaigns serve to produce Swedish adolescent girl subjectivities as the ideal users of HPV vaccine and how adolescent girls are addressed encouraging them to identify with the new “healthy girl” subjectivities. I ask the following two questions: 1) How are “healthy” adolescent girl subjectivities discursively produced, framed and promoted in the Swedish HPV vaccine advertisement campaigns? 2) How are adolescent girls addressed by Swedish HPV vaccine advertising in ways encouraging them to identify with the new “healthy girl” subjectivities?
Om patientföreningar och kunskapens kärna En kritisk realistisk studie av patientföreningar, diagnoser och vetenskap
(2011-06-28) Rosenlund, Joacim; Göteborg University/ Department of Sociology; Göteborgs universitet/ Sociologiska institutionen
Aims: Patient associations have been around for some time and research has shown that such associations can influence society, politics and how diagnoses are thought of. This study is a comparative analysis of two patient associations in Sweden. The first association called Attention represents people diagnosed with neuropsychiatric disorders such as ADHD. The other association called RSMH represents people diagnosed with mental illness such as depression. The aim of this study is to explore the social and political agenda of these associations and to explain their relation to biological, psychological and social models of explanation. Method and theory: The method used was a qualitative document analysis using documents produced by the associations themselves as well as documents from media and politics. These documents were studied using a critical realist theoretical framework. Critical realism assumes a reality that is independent of our knowledge and that social science should not simplify this reality due to the risk of missing out on underlying structures and causes. In addition Margaret Archer’s structure/agency theory was used to explain the role of patient associations in social change. Findings: Patient associations are shown to be active participants in politics and media. The comparison between the two associations shows that they have different models of explanation for their diagnoses and thus different views on science and knowledge. Attention uses a neuropsychiatric framework in order to explain the disorders as biological entities. RSMH has got a more complex view concerning knowledge, and often but not exclusively use social explanations. Critical realist theory shows that these knowledge claims are connected to a larger social context. It is also argued that a complex view represents the reality of the diagnoses better. The study concludes by connecting the associations and their diagnoses to a bigger picture of underlying explanations including medicalization theory.

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