JMAtkinson1982

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JMAtkinson1982
BibType ARTICLE
Key JMAtkinson1982
Author(s) J. Maxwell Atkinson
Title Understanding formality: The categorization and production of “formal” interaction
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Formality
Publisher
Year 1982
Language
City
Month
Journal British Journal of Sociology
Volume 33
Number 1
Pages 86-117
URL
DOI
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between 'formal' and 'informal' social action with reference to recent research in ethnometho- dology and conversation analysis. Evidence is presented in support of the proposal that a taken for granted model of conversational interaction is used by analysts, both lay and professional, as a comparative reference point against which certain actions are categorized as 'formal'. Such a procedure, it is suggested, results in evaluative interpretations which fail to address the question of how such interactions may be operating to produce orderliness in the settings where they are found. This theme is developed mainly in relation to the way a number of recurrent features of multi- party interaction may provide practical solutions to a general problem which appears to be common to all such settings, namely that of how to create and preserve the conditions for sustaining the shared attentiveness of all co-present parties to the proceedings at hand. The general themes are also brie Sy considered with reference to small-scale interactions that are likely to be regarded as 'formal'.

Notes