PhD position The proliferation of Asperger's Syndrome
(1,0 fte) (210044)
Organisation
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide
variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of The
Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics.
Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance
of the 25.000 students and members of staff.
Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences is a centre of knowledge focussing on
individuals and society. The faculty studies issues relating to human behaviour, the
relationships between people, and society as a whole. This includes the study of how
people function under normal circumstances, but also of the problems encountered
by individuals or groups, and how these can be resolved or prevented.
Job description
In the past decade the diagnosis Asperger's Syndrome (AS) has proliferated
spectacularly, mainly in the domains of child care, special education and forensic
psychiatry. Considering the importance of decisions made in the domain of education
and forensic psychiatry, both personally and financially, it is of utmost relevance to
understand the processes leading to this increase of AS-diagnoses. To this aim the
envisioned PhD student will study the changing meaning of the label of AD from its
introduction until the present.
As many psychiatric labels, AS is subject to a process identified by Ian Hacking as
the 'looping effect': a label invites reactions of the persons so labeled and/or their
caretakers, potentially changes their behaviour and hence the meaning of the label
itself. This project asks which factors have brought about changes in the image of
AS. For instance, the label of AS has undergone changes because of changing
neuroscientific theories explaining the central deficits defining this disorder, such as
'the extreme male brain', 'weak central coherence' or 'theory of mind'. However, not
only science feeds the looping effect. General images of AS emerging from popular
movies, (auto)biographies, blogs and novels help to constitute the effect as well. The
present project is intended to investigate forces that shape the use and content of
the label AS, both at micro- and macro-levels and preferably in forensic settings.
Job description
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perform empirical research employing psychological, philosophical and
ethnographic methods
write a PhD thesis and preferably one or more articles
the candidate will participate in the European Neuroscience and Society
Network (ENSN).
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the project will be supervised by dr. Douwe Draaisma and dr. Trudy Dehue
www.douwedraaisma.nl and www.rug.nl/staff/g.c.g.dehue
Requirements
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university graduate with a relevant master's degree in for instance
psychology, philosophy, sociology or anthropology
proficiency in Dutch, both in speaking and writing. Proficiency in English, or
ability to acquire this within a year in courses offered by the university.
excellent writing skills.
Secundary
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2,042 gross per month in the first
year to € 2,612 gross per month in the final year. The position will be on a
temporary basis. After the first year a formal assessment of performance will take
place. If the outcome is positive, the position will be extended for the remaining
three years.
The interviews will take place in week 8, 2010.
Information
For information you can contact:
Prof. Trudy Dehue, +31 50 3636354, g.c.g.dehue@rug.nl
Dr. Douwe Draaisma, +31 50 3636364
Additional information
University of Groningen
Web site dr. Douwe Draaisma
Web site dr. Trudy Dehue
Apply