Ethnomethodology Flashcards
What is ethnomethodology?
The study of ‘folk’ methods of reasoning
What is the Parsonian explanation for how social order is maintained?
According to the Parsonian model, people are controlled by norms (rules) of behaviour
What are the limitations of the Parsonian model?
People have no awareness of many rules;
> Some are implicit
> Some are ‘unconscious’
How do social rules work?
Reflexivity
What are the features of reflexivity?
> Rules are used as resources for developing understanding
> Rules are treated as formulae rather than precise descriptors
Who developed the ethnomethodological approach?
Garfinkel (1967)
What did Garfinkel (1967) propose?
The ethnomethodological approach to reasoning
What is the ethnomethodological approach to reasoning?
It focuses on the social practices that members use to develop a shared understanding of social situations and rules. Ignores other theories (like the Oedipus complex)
What are the methods used by researchers looking at the ethnomethodological approach?
> Naturalistic observations
Field observation
Interviews
Attempted integration
What are the limitations of ethnomethodology?
> Labour intensive > Time consuming > Depends on sociological skills and sensitivities > Difficult to communicate > Retrospective
In what cases is it suitable to use ethnomethodology?
> Developmental resource (beta testing)
> Basis for design
