Lecture 3: Ethnomethodology Flashcards
What are norms?
Rules and expectations that societies use to direct the behaviour of people.
* We are always guided by social norms (our social behaviours are guided by these norms).
What is social deviance?
Breaking social norms.
Who identified two types of norms and what are they?
William Sumner identified Mores and Folkways.
Define Mores.
Norms that carry great importance in our lives and are strictly observed and supervised.
* Strictly observed and supervised
* Substantial social sanctions (generally have a strict punishment. Ie: jail, money fine)
* Often grounded in formal laws
What are the consequences of violating Mores?
Substantial social sanctions, generally strict punishments like jail or fines.
Define Folkways.
Norms for routine and casual daily interaction, less important for the survival of society.
ie, saying thank you and please
What are the consequences of violating Folkways?
Lesser social sanctions with much less severe penalties.
True or False: Breaking Folkways is often done for comedic purposes.
True.
What is Ethnomethodology?
The study of the methods and norms used to produce social order.
* The study of everyday life
Who proposed the concept of Ethnomethodology?
Harold Garfinkel.
* He claimed that scholars are looking at exceptional moments in history instead we should look at mundane/daily realities. Do this by breaking the norms in daily life.
*
What are Breaching Experiments?
- Daily life experiments seeking to examine people’s reactions to the violation of norms.
- Send students to:
- Bargain in the supermarket
- Act as a guest at your home
- Break the rules of games
Give an example of a Breaching Experiment.
Bargaining in the supermarket.
What was the focus of Stanley Milgram’s subway experiment?
The willingness of people to give up their seats when asked.
What percentage of riders gave up their seats in Milgram’s experiment?
68 percent.
What did Milgram feel when he took a man’s seat?
Overwhelmed by the need to justify his request, feeling nauseous and embarrassed.
* Milgram’s grad students couldnt bring themselves to do it.
What are some emotional reactions to breaching social norms?
Embarrassment, haunting thoughts, nausea, physiological response, urge to hide.
