This book investigates the situated (re)production of categories, from the most mundane and unremarkable to those most strongly associated with power and privilege. By examining the reciprocal relationships between categorial phenomena and the basic structures and practices of social interaction, the book provides a new framework for integrating conversation analysis and membership categorization analysis.

Across its ten chapters, the book describes a conversation analytic approach to studying categories and categorization, charts the development and history of membership categorization analysis, and addresses core methodological challenges and practices associated with using this approach. After mapping out the new framework developed in the book, each chapter describes intersections between categorial phenomena and the domains that comprise the infrastructure of social interaction. The book concludes by exploring applications, interventions, and impacts of understanding categories in ways examined across the preceding chapters, and by considering future avenues for excavating categorial practices in the ordinary, institutional, and technological settings of human social life.

Categories in Social Interaction is essential reading for social scientists with an interest in categories of people and categorizing practices, and especially for practitioners and students of conversation analysis, membership categorization, ethnomethodology, and discursive psychology.

About the Author

Kevin A. Whitehead is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA, and Visiting Associate Professor in the School of Human and Community Development at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. His research uses ethnomethodological and conversation analytic approaches to study recorded talk-in-interaction, focusing in particular on practices through which social categories are used, reproduced and resisted, and on and their intersections with social problems including racism and violence.

Elizabeth Stokoe is Professor in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK. Her research uses conversation analysis and membership categorization to understand social interaction in diverse settings. She is also passionate about science communication and translating research findings for and with public, commercial, and third sector partners.

Geoffrey Raymond is Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. His research interests include conversation analysis, the role of talk-in interaction in the organization of institutions, and qualitative research methods.

Reviews

"Categorization is central to our society. This wonderful volume amply demonstrates and richly explores this topic."

- Geoffrey C. Bowker, Professor and Director of the Values in Design Laboratory, Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine, USA.

"This book lays out a clear central argument for what Membership Categorization Analysis is, how to 'do' it, and why it is important. Using compelling examples, the authors illustrate how the everyday, seemingly unremarkable ways that people use categories in interaction have implications for (among others) gender, race, politics, and various '-isms.' Students, scholars, and teachers interested Membership Categorization Analysis, Conversation Analysis, and in identity and social categories more generally would benefit from reading this well-written and engaging book!"

- Natasha Shrikant, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA.

"Whitehead, Stokoe, and Raymond have given us not just a most lively and engaging overview of membership categorization analysis, but more importantly, the very first book-length introduction to how categorial and interactional systemics may be expertly merged in the analysis of actual interaction. With an abundance of riveting real-life examples, this bound-to-be classic is a must-read for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look into how our social worlds are assembled in and through the 'minutia' of human interaction. Prepare to be awed."

- Hansun Zhang Waring, Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.

Book Information
ISBN 9780367637668
Author Kevin A. Whitehead
Format Hardback
Page Count 450
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd