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Conversation analysis, institutions, and rituals
1Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
Frontiers in Sociology
|October 26, 2023
Summary
Conversation analysis (CA) reveals institutional interactions, like parliamentary proceedings, function as rituals. These rituals reinforce social order by ensuring participants adhere to organizational rules and principles, thus creating and maintaining social structure.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Linguistics
- Communication Studies
Background:
- Conversation Analysis (CA) traditionally focuses on micro-level interaction.
- Existing research links CA to sociological institutionalism, new materialism, and ritual theory.
- Macrosociological theorizing can benefit from integrating CA perspectives on institutional interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate how Conversation Analysis (CA) scholarship can contribute to macrosociological theorizing.
- To reframe institutional interactions, using national parliaments as a case study, as rituals.
- To explore how these ritualistic interactions constitute and maintain social order.
Main Methods:
- Relating CA research on institutional interaction to sociological institutionalism, new materialism, and ritual theory.
- Analyzing the organization of national parliaments as institutions.
- Conceptualizing institutional interaction as ritualistic performances.
Main Results:
- Institutional interactions, such as those in national parliaments, can be understood as rituals.
- These rituals, despite being scripted, enforce conformity through social pressure and organizational constraints.
- Participants' adherence to rules in frontstage events solidifies social order and organizational principles.
Conclusions:
- Organizational arrangements set limits on conduct but do not fully determine actors' actions.
- Institutional interaction arrangements are crucial for the creation, maintenance, and naturalization of social structure.
- CA offers valuable insights into the macro-level sociological functions of micro-level interaction.
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