Dorothy Smith Flashcards
1
Q
- Argues that individuals situated in marginalized positions have unique
perspectives and insights into social structures and power dynamics. - Smith challenges traditional notions of objectivity in social science
research, arguing that objectivity often conceals power dynamics and
reinforces the status quo. - Smith emphasizes the role of language and discourse in constructing
social reality. - She argues that many aspects of daily life involve implicit power
dynamics, norms, and structures that deserve scrutiny.
A
Key Arguments of Smith
2
Q
Suggests that marginalized groups, such as women, have unique perspectives that
can provide insights into social structures, hierarchies, and power dynamics that are
often overlooked by dominant groups.
A
Standpoint theory
3
Q
The implicit norms, expectations, and guidelines that govern social interactions and
behaviors within specific institutional settings.
A
Relations of Ruling
4
Q
A sociological research method for examining the relationship between everyday
activities and experiences within the larger context of larger institutional forces.
A
Institutional Ethnography
5
Q
The theories, methods, and concepts overlook women’s
experiences.
* What does Weber’s framework overlook by focusing only on formal
organizations?
A
- Sociology has traditionally been rooted in male experience.
CONCEPTUAL PRACTICES OF POWER
6
Q
- The everyday lives of women are subordinated to the abstract
knowledge created by men, particularly in professional and
academic spheres. - For instance, emotional labor in the workplace, which is often
done by women, is unrecognized and unrewarded compared to
other types of labor.
A
- Objectified knowledge (objectivity) marginalizes women’s local
realities
CONCEPTUAL PRACTICES OF POWER
7
Q
- Split between the world as one experiences it and the dominant view, to which one
must adapt. - Women are forced to think about their world using men’s concepts, alienating
them from their own experiences.
A
- Women have a Bifurcated of Consciousness
CONCEPTUAL PRACTICES OF POWER
8
Q
- People who are part of a marginalized group are socially situated in a way that
makes them more aware of present circumstances—allows them to ask
questions that may be more valuable.
A
- Women’s standpoint is authoritative on some things and should be valued.
CONCEPTUAL PRACTICES OF POWER
9
Q
- Many aspects of daily life involve
implicit power dynamics, norms, and
structures that deserve scrutiny. - Thus, sociologists should not take the
“everyday” for granted but should
instead investigate how it reflects on-
going forms of power.
A
THE EVERYDAY WORLD AS PROBLEMATIC
10
Q
- For example, while walking one’s dog, we take care to abide by
established social norms (e.g. walking on the sidewalk, pick up
dog’s poop), but actively contribute to the organization of
different forms of property ownership. - Think about the everyday experience of a nurse in a hospital.
A
- The everyday world is connected to institutional power.
THE EVERYDAY WORLD AS PROBLEMATIC
11
Q
- Gendered labor is central to the functioning of institutions yet is
not deemed important. - Women’s work often mediates the gap between the abstract
and the concrete in institutions.
A
- Institutional ideologies make some forms of work visible, while
hiding others.
THE EVERYDAY WORLD AS PROBLEMATIC
- Institutional ideologies make some forms of work visible, while
12
Q
- A unique feminist research methodology that examines how
people’s everyday lives are shaped by broader social and
institutional structures. - Begin by exploring the lived, everyday experiences of
individuals, especially those who are often marginalized or
overlooked in traditional sociological studies. - Study how different texts (local by-laws, property regulations,
or institutional forms) coordinate social relations.
A
- Institutional Ethnography as Sociological Method
THE EVERYDAY WORLD AS PROBLEMATIC
