Symbolic Interactionism and Ethnomethodology

Norman K. Denzin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter examines symbolic interactions and ethnomethodology. Symbolic interactionism takes as a fundamental concern the relationship between individual conduct and forms of social organization, most centrally social groups. The problem of developing a consistent theoretical perpsective that would permit the joint analysis of social-psychological and sociological problems has long concerned the sociologist. The distinctive nature of many social relationships is represented in their relational rules that make problematic events that other collectivities assume, and that take for granted rules that others argue over. The organization is then conceived in terms of competing perspectives and social orders, each of which rests on its own language and set of meanings. A typical interactionist study of social organization begins with the formal structure and then details how moral and ideological variations transform that structure into a going concern of social relationships. Social games, routine work, and even participation in a religious ceremony appear to represent such occasions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEveryday Life
Subtitle of host publicationReconstruction of Social Knowledge
EditorsJack D Douglas
PublisherRoutledge
Pages259-284
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)9781351327329
ISBN (Print)9780202363592, 9781138523142
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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