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

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.

action Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

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 Signup and view all the answers

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

Make accusations, ask questions, and justify conduct Signup and view all the answers

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

False Signup and view all the answers

Who are the authors of the chapter discussing discourse analysis?

Margaret Wetherell and Jonathan Potter Signup and view all the answers

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

Culture fostering Signup and view all the answers

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

False Signup and view all the answers

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

Interviews designed to elicit extended sequences of talk. Signup and view all the answers

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

function Signup and view all the answers

Match the following interpretative repertoires with their descriptions:

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 Signup and view all the answers

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

It systematically understands complex lay explanations. Signup and view all the answers

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

True Signup and view all the answers

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

Set A and Set B. Signup and view all the answers

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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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.