Södertörns högskolas Publications
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”I begynnelsen…” : En kvalitativ studie av två teologiska tolkningar av skapelseberättelsen
No full textThe biblical creation narrative in the Book of Genesis has had a central role in influencing modern Christian theological discussion on cosmology, God’s role as creator and human responsibility. Despite the theological significance of the creation narrative, there is no unified interpretation of the creation account. Instead, modern theologians offer varied and sometimes contrasting perspectives that are rooted in different theological traditions. The aim of this study is to examine and compare how two influential modern Christian theologians, Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and Jürgen Moltmann interpret the biblical creation narrative. The study focuses on the following questions: What is God’s role as Creator? What arises through the process of creation and what does it lead to? What is humanity’s place and responsibility within creation in relation to God? To answer these questions, the study conducts a qualitative content analysis of Ratzinger’s work In the Beginning…: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall (1995) and Moltmann’s work God in Creation: A New Theology of Creation and the Spirit of God (1985). The analysis is guided by the theoretical framework, which consists of key concepts from systematic theology. The findings show that Ratzinger presents a Christocentric interpretation of the creation narrative, in which creation is rooted in God’s Logos and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. In contrast, Moltmann emphasizes a trinitarian and ecological understanding of creation, in which he highlights God’s immanent presence through the Holy Spirit and the responsibility that humans have to live in harmony with all creation. Simultaneously, the comparative analysis shows that the theologians agree on certain points, such as that creation is an intentional and meaningful act of God
Weighing benefits against risks : How Instagram’s security and privacy features affect Swedish students’ sharing behavior
No full textDenna studie undersöker hur säkerhets- och integritetsfunktioner påverkar svenska högskole- och universitetsstudenters användarbeteenden. Genom en enkät och semistrukturerade intervjuer analyseras hur användare väger vinster såsom social interaktion och underhållning, mot risker som datadelning. Resultaten visar att många fortsätter dela personlig information trots oro för integritet, där funktioner som privata konton skapar upplevd trygghet. Faktisk kontroll över data är dock begränsad vilket leder till ett passivt accepterande av risker. Studien belyser hur kunskap, tidigare erfarenheter och kontextuella faktorer samverkar i beslutsprocessen och bidrar till en fördjupad förståelse av digitalt integritetsbeteende bland svenska studenter.This study examines how security and privacy features influence the usage behaviors of Swedish higher education students. Through a survey and semi-structured interviews, the study analyzes how users weigh benefits, such as social interaction and entertainment, against risks like data sharing. The results show that many continue to share personal information despite privacy concerns, with features such as private accounts providing a sense of security. Actual control over data is limited, leading to a passive acceptance of risks. The study highlights how knowledge, prior experiences, and contextual factors interact in decision-making, contributing to a deeper understanding of digital privacy behavior among Swedish students
The institutional consequences of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy
No full textThis paper examines the impact of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy (FFP), adopted in 2014, on its foreign ministry. The policy has been studied extensively but almost exclusively as part of diplomatic practice; this study expands the perspective by adding analytical and political dimensions relating to the ministry at home. The policy had political origins and, the paper argues, was maintained and instrumentalized as a lever to bring about internal change within the ministry. The policy was under political ownership and policy coordinators were under political patronage. FFP had institutional consequences for the ministry. It promoted more horizontal coordination and stronger functional and organizational synergies, not only between policy areas but also between staff categories. This meant that the work culture and how the ministry works changed. The study, which combines primary and secondary material, offers further insights into Sweden’s FFP, but also into what happens within a foreign ministry. Overall, the paper provides lessons about how foreign policy can be understood as co-constructed by civil servants/diplomats and political appointees – including ministers and their political advisers.
Smidighetens Pris : En kvalitativ studie om upplevelsen av att betala digitalt
No full textThe digitalisation of payment markets has transformed how consumers pay in everyday life, particularly in Sweden where digital payment methods have largely replaced cash. While payments have become faster and more convenient, they have also become increasingly invisible and automated. Despite extensive research on digital payments and consumption, limited attention has been paid to how consumers experience the payment moment itself. The aim of this study is to explore how Swedish consumers experience the payment moment when using different digital payment methods and how these experiences relate to everyday consumption and perceived financial control. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on semi-structured interviews with twelve respondents. The empirical material was analysed using thematic analysis. The result show that mobile payments and contactless card payments are the dominant methods in everyday life and are perceived as fast and smooth. At the same time, this convenience reduces awareness during the payment moment, making costs feel abstract at the time of purchase. Control over spending is often experienced retrospectively through digital overviwes. The findings also indicate that low-friction payments may contribute to impulsivity, particularly in everyday purchases, while certain digital tools can strengthen perceived financial control over time. By focusing on consumers lived experiences, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the payment moment in an almost cashless society and highlights how the convenience of digital payments can both facilitate everyday life and challenge financial self-regulation.Digitaliseringen av betalningsmarknaden har förändrat hur konsumenter betalar i vardagen, särskilt i Sverige där digitala betalningsmetoder i stor utsträckning har ersatt kontanter. Betalningar har blivit snabbare och mer bekväma men också mer osynliga och automatiserade. Trots omfattande forskning om digitala betalningars påverkan på konsumtion finns det begränsad kunskap om hur konsumenter själva upplever betalningsögonblicket. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur svenska konsumenter upplever betalningsögonblicket vid användning av olika digitala betalningsmetoder samt hur dessa upplevelser relaterar till vardaglig konsumtion och upplevd ekonomisk kontroll. Studien har en kvalitativ forskningsdesign och bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med tolv respondenter. Materialet har analyserats genom tematisk analys. Resultaten visar att mobilbetalningar och kontaktlösa kortbetalningar utgör norm i respondenternas vardag och upplevs som snabba och smidiga. Samtidigt framkommer att denna smidighet minskar medvetenhet i betalningsögonblicket, vilket gör att kostanden ofta upplevs som abstrakt. Kontroll över utgifterna upplevs i många fall först i efterhand genom digitala översikter. Studien visar även att låg friktion kan bidra till impulsivitet, särskilt vid vardagliga inköp, samtidigt som vissa digitala verktyg kan stärka upplevd kontroll över tid. Genom att fokusera på konsumenters egna upplevelser bidrar studien till en fördjupad förståelse av betalningsögonblicket i ett nästan kontantlöst samhälle och belyser hur digitaliseringens smidighet både kan underlätta vardagen och utmana ekonomisk självkontroll
A room of one's own : A study on activites for women in public libraries
No full text Syftet med den här studien är att genom kvalitativa intervjuer undersöka olika resonemang för att organisera aktiviteter som riktar sig specifikt till kvinnor vid folkbibliotek. De senaste åren har svenska folkbibliotek beskrivits som demokratins pelare och en av de sista platserna i det svenska samhället som är öppen för alla. Samtidigt har det förts debatter i feministiska utrymmen och i media kring kvinnoseparatismens begränsningar och hur praktiken är odemokratisk. Trots detta har ett flertal folkbibliotek i Stockholmsregionen både idag och tidigare anordnat aktiviteter som riktar sig specifikt till kvinnor.Studiens empiriska material har samlats in genom fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer. Två av intervjuerna med bibliotekarier som varit eller är ansvariga för aktiviteter för kvinnor på sina arbetsplatser och två med samarbetspartners som ansvarar för aktiviteter för kvinnor vid folkbibliotek. Empirins data tematiserades först och analyserades sedan genom Antonio Gramsci och Henry Girouxs kritiska teorier som anpassades för att kunna appliceras på maktrelationen mellan män och kvinnor. Analysen fokuserade på Gramscis teorier om mothegemoni, ställningskrig och organiskt intellektuella och Girouxs gränspedagogik och transformativa lärande. Studien visar att det finns en viss spänning mellan kvinnoseparatism på folkbibliotek och tanken om biblioteken som en tredje plats för alla, men att respondenterna ser deras aktiviteter som ett komplement till folkbibliotekens demokratiska uppdrag. Aktiviteterna kan även ses som en del av ett mothegemoniskt arbete inom den feministiska rörelsen eftersom de skapar rum där kvinnor kan delta i ett transformativt lärande som kan ge dem verktygen för att krossa patriarkatet, dock är det inte tydligt huruvida kvinnorna som deltar på aktiviteterna sedan går vidare för att överskrida samhällets gränser eller kritiserar den manliga hegemonin. Slutsatsen blir därmed att kvinnorummen på folkbibliotek är alltså enbart en utgångspunkt för mothegemonisk aktivitet inom könsmaktsordningen och inte en emancipatorisk praktik. The aim of this qualitative interview study is to examine the reasoning of organizing activities at public libraries specifically for women. In recent years the Swedish public libraries have increasingly been spoken of as pillars of democracy and one of the last open places in society. At the same time discussions on the limitations of women’s separatism and how the practice inherently is undemocratic have been had both in feminist circles and in the Swedish media. Despite this several public libraries in the Stockholm area previously or currently have activities specifically for women.The empirical material of this study was collected through four semi structured interviews. Two with librarians that are responsible for activities for women at their workplace and two with collaborators that are responsible for activities for women together with public libraries. The data from the interviews was initially processed thematically and then analyzed using the critical theories of Antonio Gramsci and Henry Giroux with a focus on Gramsci’s theory of counter-hegemony, war of position and organic intellectuals and Girouxs border pedagogy and transformative learning. The key findings of this study are that while there exists a tension between women’s separatist spaces in public libraries and the idea of the public library as a thirds space for all, the data suggests that those responsible for the activities do not see the tension as a problem and rather describe the separatist spaces as a part of the public libraries work with democracy and participation. The activities can also be viewed as part of a counter-hegemonic movement within feminism as they create space for women to take part in transformative learning that will give them the tools that they need to overthrow the patriarchy, however it is not clear whether the women that participate in the activities go on to participate in any form of border crossing or critique of the male hegemony. The conclusion of the study is that women’s spaces at public libraries are only a starting point for counter-hegemonic activity within the patriarchy and not an emancipatory practice on its own
Words - the source of magic : A linguistic study on Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
No full textAbstract The aim of this essay is to investigate how language is used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), written by J.K. Rowling, through a linguistic study investigating the construction and characterization of the characters Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. The research aims to compare the characters’ linguistic profiles by analyzing both their direct speech and the narrative language used to describe them, which also includes observations and comments from other characters. The study also analyzes the use of speech acts, value words, tone, and attitude, with the results discussed with the help of Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Theory (1987). The findings indicate a clear difference in the language used to represent the two characters. Dumbledore’s speech and representation align with strategies of positive politeness and respect, whereas Snape’s representation is made through his frequent use of face-threatening acts (FTAs) and negative value words in both his own speech and the narrator’s description. The study discusses how the consistent difference in language portrays Dumbledore as a kind and highly respected authority figure, while portraying Snape as a character who is hostile and strongly disliked. The results demonstrate the power of linguistic choices in character development, reflecting and shaping the readers’ perception of the characters. The didactic application demonstrates how language analysis of character construction through the examination of politeness strategies, evaluative language, and stance supports the development of critical literacy by raising students’ awareness of how linguistic choices shape meaning, authority, and moral positioning
"En superintelligens utan känslomässiga distraktioner" : En studie om användandet av ChatGPT som terapeut, hur det påverkar våra informationsbeteenden och tilliten till vår omvärld
No full textIn recent years, ChatGPT has taken on a social role in society and become an integral part of people's everyday lives. The launch of the service in 2022 came in the aftermath of a global pandemic, and today the service is something people turn to for everything from information to therapeutic conversations. The purpose of this study is to investigate how trust can be characterised in relation to ChatGPT as a therapist, how it affects our interpersonal relationships and our information behaviours. The empirical data is collected through digital observation of a social forum where users share their therapeutic use of ChatGPT. The results show a high level of trust in the service and the capabilities of AI. ChatGPT is perceived as a good therapist with endless patience and good listening skills, which is often contrasted with human therapists. At the same time, there are still concerns about misinformation, ingratiation, and privacy issues. The analysis is based on one of Wilson's models of information-seeking behaviour and Habermas' theory of communicative action. Based on this, it is concluded that ChatGPT's ability to provide detailed answers at any time, at a low cost and with little effort on the part of the user, strengthens people's trust in AI and makes it the obvious choice as a source of information. ChatGPT is not only praised as something other than a human being with baggage and bias, but is also attributed with a strong humanity, which is perceived as necessary to create a strong relationship with the service. The study concludes with a discussion of the scientific, societal and ethical aspects of the conclusions. This discussion emphasises that research should take into account the relationship that many people have with ChatGPT today, and the trust that comes with it, and that companies need to be more transparent in their work and understand the breadth of how their service is used
Vardagens osynliga makt : En nivåintegrerad analys av subtila härskartekniker och kvinnors hanteringsstrategier i mansdominerade tjänstemannayrken inom säkerhetssektorn
No full textThis thesis aims to examine how subtle domination techniques manifest in male-dominated white-collar occupations within the security sector in Sweden, how these techniques become contributing factors in maintaining gendered and structural patterns, and how women manage these subtle expressions of power in their everyday working lives. The thesis is conducted using a qualitative research approach based on six semi-structured interviews with women within the aforementioned context. The analysis is based on a level-integrated approach in which micro-, meso-, and macro-levels are interconnected, inspired by Layder’s (1994) research map. The theoretical framework combines Ås’ (1978) theory of domination techniques, Acker’s (1990) theory of gendered organizations, Tilly’s (1978) theory of durable inequality, and Hirschman’s (1970) concepts of exit, voice, and loyalty. The results highlight that subtle domination techniques primarily take the form of everyday normalized interactions such as ridicule, withholding of information, and invisibilization, which over time limit women’s scope for action and legitimacy. Women’s coping strategies are characterized by adaptation and silence, shaped by organizational norms and structural conditions, where everyday interactions intersect with gendered organizational practices and broader mechanisms of inequality.
Visions of the Öresund Bridge, 1865–2023
No full textThe Öresund bridge between Denmark and Sweden has been key to the realisation of a cross-border region across Sjælland and Skåne, and it also links the Scandinavian peninsula with continental Europe. It was completed in 2000 with the involvement of local, regional and European actors, although its inception reaches back in time to the nineteenth century. A globally renowned icon, it is a symbol of many and sometimes opposing things, including Nordic cooperation, the solving of real or imagined crimes, freedom of movement, and the policing of borders in times of crisis. Nonetheless, it is undeniably a positive image of cross-border relationships
"Jag har inget att dölja" : En kvalitativ studie om hur användare reflekterar kring träningsdata, integritet och smartklockor.
No full textAnvändningen av smartklockor och andra kroppsnära teknologier för insamling och analys av träningsdata har ökat markant under de senaste åren. Samtidigt väcker denna utveckling frågor kring integritet, datadelning och användares kontroll över personlig information. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur användare reflekterar kring nyttan av att samla in och dela träningsdata, samt hur de resonerar kring potentiella integritetsrisker kopplade till smartklockor och träningsappar. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ forskningsansats och baseras på sju semistrukturerade intervjuer med användare i åldern 20-35 år som regelbundet använder smartklockor eller andra kroppsnära teknologier för att logga sin träning. Det empiriska materialet analyserades med hjälp av tematisk analys, med fokus på återkommande mönster relaterade till motivation, tillit, datadelning och upplevd kontroll. Resultaten visar att träningsdata främst uppfattas som ett verktyg för självreflektion, motivation och struktur i vardagen, men även som ett socialt verktyg för datadelning. Samtidigt framträder en ambivalens där integritetsrisker erkänns men ofta rationaliseras till förmån för den upplevda nyttan. Tillit till etablerade teknikföretag spelar en central roll i hur användare upplever trygghet och kontroll över sin data. Studien bidrar med fördjupad förståelse för hur användare förhandlar relationen mellan nytta och risk i användningen av självspårningsteknologier.The use of smartwatches and other wearable technologies for collecting and analysing training data has increased significantly in recent years. At the same time, this development raises questions concerning privacy, data sharing and users control over personal information. The aim of this study is to explore how users reflect on the benefits of collecting and sharing training data, as well as how they reason about potential privacy risks associated with smartwatches and fitness applications. The study adopts a qualitative research approach and is based on seven semi structured interviews with users aged 20-35 who regularly use smartwatches or other wearable devices to track their training. The empirical material was analysed using thematic analysis, focusing on recurring patterns related to motivation, trust, data sharing and perceived control. The findings indicate that training data is perceived as a tool for self-reflection, motivation and structure in everyday life, as well as a social data sharing tool. At the same time, an ambivalence emerged in which privacy risks are acknowledged but often rationalised in favour of perceived benefits. Trust in established technology companies plays a key role in shaping users sense of security and control. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how users negotiate the relationship between utility and risk in relation to self tracking technologies.