Discourse Analysis Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the chapter by Wetherell and Potter?

  • The development of new technologies in social research
  • The historical development of social psychology
  • The approach to lay explanations taken by discourse analysts (correct)
  • The implementation of quantitative research methods

    • According to traditional social psychology, language is viewed as a transparent medium.

    True (A)

    What term describes the basic analytic unit used in discourse analysis?

    interpretative repertoire

    Discourse has an __________ orientation, emphasizing that people perform actions through their language.

    <p>action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

    <p>Function = The action orientation of language use Construction = Emphasizes practical consequences of discourse Variation = Differences in discourse across contexts Interpretative repertoire = Basic analytic unit in discourse analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do people do with their discourse according to speech act theory?

    <p>Make accusations, ask questions, and justify conduct (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Post-structuralist approaches ignore the unintended consequences of language use.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are the authors of the chapter discussing discourse analysis?

    <p>Margaret Wetherell and Jonathan Potter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which interpretative repertoire emphasizes the importance of Maori culture for New Zealand society?

    <p>Culture fostering (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 'pragmatic realism' repertoire advocates for the preservation of traditional Maori practices at all costs.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What methodology was used to gather data in the study regarding race relations in New Zealand?

    <p>Interviews designed to elicit extended sequences of talk.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The discourse is highly variable and varies according to one's specific ______.

    <p>function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following interpretative repertoires with their descriptions:

    <p>Culture fostering = Advocates for the development of Maori culture Pragmatic realism = Focuses on practical relevance and constraints Togetherness = Promotes unity without divisions Social discrimination = Involves the treatment of individuals based on social identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main advantages of using the approach discussed in the study?

    <p>It systematically understands complex lay explanations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The empirical study discussed examines the relationship between Maori and white European populations in New Zealand.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What two sets of extracts were presented in the analysis of racism from the same interviewee?

    <p>Set A and Set B.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Discourse Analysis

    The study of how language is used to create and share meaning in social contexts.

    Interpretative Repertoires

    Sets of shared beliefs, values, and ways of talking about the world that influence how people understand and interpret events.

    Action Orientation of Language

    Language is not a neutral medium, but a tool used to perform actions and influence others.

    Construction of Reality

    Discourse analysis challenges the idea that language is a simple reflection of thoughts or reality.

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    Unintended Consequences of Discourse

    Discourse analysis considers the unintended consequences of using particular language styles.

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    Social Desirability

    Language use is influenced by the desire to present oneself in a favorable light.

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    Function of Discourse

    Discourse analysis focuses on the function and purpose of language in social situations.

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    Transparence Assumption

    The assumption that language is a transparent window into the mind.

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    Discourse constructs reality

    The idea that language shapes our understanding of the world and how we experience it. It suggests that our social realities are constructed through the way we talk about them.

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    Discourse variation

    The way we talk about something is influenced by the situation and purpose. People speak and write differently based on the context. For example, talking to a friend is different than giving a presentation.

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    Race relations study

    A study that examines how white Europeans in New Zealand understand race relations and the position of indigenous Maori people.

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    Culture fostering

    A set of arguments that emphasize the importance and unique value of Maori culture for New Zealand society. It advocates for supporting, protecting, and preserving this culture.

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    Pragmatic realism

    A perspective that prioritizes practical solutions and focuses on promoting useful, modern, and relevant ideas. It acknowledges the constraints of the real world.

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    Togetherness

    The idea that people should be united and that there should be no divisions or barriers between them. It promotes the idea of inclusion and equality.

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    Advantages of interpretative repertoires

    A method that helps us understand the complex ways people use language to explain and make sense of the world. It allows us to pay attention to subtle differences in language use.

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    Study Notes

    Discourse Analysis and Interpretative Repertoires

    • Discourse analysis approaches lay explanations, particularly focusing on interpretative repertoires as analytic units.
    • Traditional social psychology views language as a neutral medium, whereas discourse analysis sees it as a social practice with inherent functions.
    • Discourse analysis examines how language performs actions, including accusations, questions, justifications, and wider, potentially unintended consequences.

    Function in Discourse

    • Discourse has various functions that exist along a continuum.
    • One end focuses on "interpersonal" functions like explaining and justifying within a specific context.
    • The other end encompasses broader functions, such as legitimizing power structures or influencing ideologies.
    • Functions aren't always explicit, sometimes having unintended consequences.

    Variability in Discourse

    • Discourse is highly variable, adapting to different functions.
    • This variability is a key indicator of function.
    • People use different language to perform different actions.

    Construction in Discourse

    • Discourse isn't a mirror reflecting reality; it actively constructs it.
    • It's a constructed product of pre-existing linguistic elements (e.g., metaphors, tropes).
    • Discourse is a way of manufacturing and presenting accounts.

    Interpretative Repertoires

    • Interpretative repertoires are consistent, bounded linguistic units (not individual actions) that underlie discourse.
    • They're a summary unit for explanatory resources available to speakers.
    • They consist of specific terms in particular styles, often drawn from a core metaphor or figure of speech.
    • Repertoires are used to construct variations in discourse and are signaled by certain tropes or figures of speech.

    Empirical Example: "Race" Relations

    • The study examined how white New Zealanders understood racial inequality and their relationship with Maori people.
    • Interviews were conducted with individuals across different political affiliations and age groups.
    • Three dominant interpretative repertoires analyzed: "culture fostering," "pragmatic realism," and "togetherness."

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    Related Documents

    Discourse Analysis and Interpretative Repertoires PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores key concepts in discourse analysis, focusing on interpretative repertoires and their functions in social contexts. It highlights how language acts as a social practice, rather than a neutral medium, and examines the variability in discourse functions. Test your understanding of these critical ideas and their implications in social psychology.

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