Ordinary People and Social Structures

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Questions and Answers

What motivated the camel's refusal to follow the butcher?

The camel could smell blood from other camels. (correct)

The camel had an injury and could not move.

The camel was frightened of the butcher.

The camel preferred to stay with other animals.

What was the butcher's ultimate intention for the camel?

To provide care for the camel.

To bring the camel to the slaughterhouse. (correct)

To train the camel for a show.

To take the camel for grazing.

Which listening skills may be reflected in the activity described in 'Cumulex'?

Passive listening through ignoring the poem.

Monologue listening by only focusing on one's own thoughts.

Active listening through engagement with the poem. (correct)

Distracted listening by thinking of unrelated topics.

What does the phrase 'art of not listening' refer to in the homework assignment?

Techniques to make listening ineffective. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the game 'Cumulex' promote understanding?

By fostering individual interpretation of the poem. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of bisociation in the context suggest about storytelling?

Storytelling allows us to explore and connect different perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

According to Harvey Sacks, what does presenting oneself as an ordinary person require?

Understanding and mimicking societal behaviors and values. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'paradox of uneven distribution of experiences' imply?

Experiences vary dramatically among different individuals and communities. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the phrase 'immoral' in the context of leisure activities?

It indicates a failure to follow societal norms. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the narrator's experience in Marrakech?

The narrator downplays the complexity of their experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In the example from Canetti's book, what is signified by the act of taming the camel?

A demonstration of strength and control over nature. Signup and view all the answers

How does the depiction of ordinary language change the perception of the events in Marrakech?

It trivializes the unique cultural experiences encountered. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human behavior is underscored through the observation-evaluation-reporter role?

The collective responsibility to reinforce societal norms. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a noteworthy experience in the City of Esotica?

Experiences that happen in exceptional situations with remarkable people Signup and view all the answers

How do the people of Esotica react to ordinary situations where someone expresses excitement?

They express concern and question its appropriateness Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen to a girl who mentions the colors of grass after being asked what she did today?

She will be met with suspicious and worried reactions Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest should be observed in the exercise involving answering a mundane question?

The reactions and interpretations of the audience Signup and view all the answers

Why would a casual comment about grass color be perceived negatively in Esotica?

It challenges cultural norms of conversation Signup and view all the answers

What reaction did the parents have when the unusual answer about grass was suggested?

They laughed and responded creatively Signup and view all the answers

What might be the impact of societal norms on the individual expressions of the residents of Esotica?

They become restricted in their emotional expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of ethnomethodology as discussed in the content?

To analyze methods used by society members to describe their daily lives Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of communication in Esotica is highlighted in the author's observations?

The tendency to question the validity of emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

Who is one of the main founders of ethnomethodology mentioned in the content?

Harold Garfinkel Signup and view all the answers

What method do ethnomethodologists use to help individuals reflect on their social observations?

Disruption experiments Signup and view all the answers

What does Garfinkel mean when he states that we are all, without being aware of it, practical sociologists?

People unconsciously apply sociological principles in daily life Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the nature of the methodologies discussed?

They are often learned informally and taken for granted Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how do ethnomethodologists aim to change the perception of everyday actions?

By making the invisible aspects of social interactions visible Signup and view all the answers

What connection does the content suggest between ethnomethodology and literature?

Great literature exemplifies the principles of ethnomethodology. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the significance of 'breaching experiments' in ethnomethodological research?

They highlight the significance of everyday interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sacks suggest is essential for making good observations?

A perspective that emphasizes passive listening Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of ordinariness challenge common perceptions of individuals?

It frames ordinariness as a product of specific choices Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the author suggest qualitative research should be approached?

As a combination of both analytic and literary concerns Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between ethnomethodologists and Calvino according to the content?

Calvino addresses ways of connecting while ethnomethodologists focus on analysis Signup and view all the answers

Why might passive listening be seen as desirable in research contexts?

It emphasizes the collection of data without bias Signup and view all the answers

How does the author propose to recover Sacks' lessons that do not fit into a narrative form?

Via subsequent comments that illustrate their relevance Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of being 'ordinary' do the students identify in Sacks' classroom discussions?

An ordinary person is predictable and lacks inventiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the relationship between narrative and research methodologies?

Narrative and analytic methods can enhance understanding when used together Signup and view all the answers

What does speaking in a low voice while focusing solely on the teacher imply about the student’s perspective?

The student believes they do not have anything important to say. Signup and view all the answers

How does the document suggest individuals should navigate feelings of inferiority while participating in discussions?

By standing up and openly expressing their uncertainties. Signup and view all the answers

What is the intended outcome of students learning polite behaviors in discussions?

To contribute to a respectful and inclusive cultural dialogue. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'true questions' refer to in the context discussed?

Questions that promote understanding and awareness within a cultural context. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do students face when attempting to stand and engage in discussion, according to the document?

Concern that their peers think they seek attention. Signup and view all the answers

What does the document suggest is necessary to foster an environment where questioning is encouraged?

Learning to manage awkwardness with humor and respect. Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of frames relevant to the discussion behavior of students?

It encompasses the broader cultural context that shapes individual behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of avoiding standing up and engaging in discussion, according to the text?

A lack of authentic dialogue and shared learning. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ordinary People

Ethnography: Studies the methods people use to describe daily life and maintain social structures.
Ethnographers, like Sacks and Garfinkel, believe social methodologies are learned informally and taken for granted. Awareness of these methods comes when they are violated.
"Breaching experiments": Used by ethnographers to make people aware of how they observe, fostering self-reflection.
Ordinary people: Not extraordinary, but the result of deliberate choices, requiring energy, imagination, and effort from all involved in a given situation.
"Being ordinary" is a performance, built and presented deliberately.
People present themselves within social frameworks through speech and actions.

The City of Esotica

People in Esotica crave noteworthy experiences but believe those only occur in exceptional circumstances with exceptional people.
This makes daily life a constant attempt to define and maintain the ordinariness of ordinary situations.
People fear or avoid anything that might interfere with the typical perception of ordinary situations.
Exceptionality is delegated to artists for their perceived unique sensitivity.
The language of Esotica, called "esotese," contains terms like "nothing special" to minimize anything that could disrupt the perception of normalcy.
Children are trained from a young age to prioritize the perception of ordinariness, using phrases like "the exception proves the rule."
Paradoxically, this pursuit of ordinariness makes exceptional experiences appear ordinary when someone in Esotica has one.
This produces a state of chronic insecurity and a longing for the extraordinary, which often manifests itself in an insatiable desire for experiences from media (like TV) and the desire to escape into drugs.
True experience, for those in Esotica, is when the unusual is treated as ordinary.
"Ordinary" actions are the expected responses in certain scenarios.

The Art of Not Listening

Method of observing experiences from the perspective of ordinariness.
Active observing requires a stance that acknowledges things in a consistent and predictable way rather than actively judging others.
The perceived need to be objective leads people to a "passive listening" that emphasizes predictable actions and responses.

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Description

Explore the concepts of ethnography and the methods ordinary individuals use to navigate social structures. This quiz delves into breaching experiments and the performance of being ordinary in various social contexts. Understand how everyday interactions shape our perceptions of normalcy.