För mig är den en trygg punkt, en trygghet : En kvalitativ studie om en studentgrupps olika faser och funktioner

Sammanfattning: One of the more important social contexts in student life may be the student group. This study is based on a qualitative method to provide a deeper insight into how a student group describes the different phases it goes through and the functions of a student group. To answer the purpose, two research questions were asked: (1) How does a student group describe the different phases it goes through? (2) What manifest and latent functions can be distinguished in a student group? The empirical material for the study was gathered through five semi-structured interviews, in which the respondents were members of the same student group. I have analyzed the empirics by applying two theories, Merton's theory of latent and manifest functions and a theory of group processes by Lennéer Axelson and Thylefors. These two theories were chosen to answer the purpose and the research questions. Previous studies were also used to understand a student group's social significance and its manifest and latent functions. It appeared during the analysis of the material that the student group creates safety, belonging and social cohesion for the individual, the student group also created a study-based support. The student group that was studied also considered themselves as a group of friends. The specific purpose that existed at the beginning of the group constellation was changed when the group members created deeper relationships. The manifest function was that the respondents would start studying together, the manifest function developed latent functions. This study ends with a discussion on how a student group can be understood as an informal group and as an institutional group. This study also discuss what the university as an institution can do to support student groups. The discussion also presents what the university as an institution can do to support student groups.