What is Ethnomethodology? Key principles and ideas from Harold Garfinkel

Hey there, fellow knowledge seekers! It's Dr. Elizabeth Yardley here, and today I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that might seem intimidating at first glance: ethnomethodology.

Now, before you let the name scare you away, let me assure you that by the end of this exploration, you'll not only understand it but also see the world around you in a whole new light.

Let's start by unraveling the layers of this complex term.

Ethnomethodology, derived from the Greek words "ethnos" (meaning people practicing a common culture) and "methodology" (referring to a way of doing something), is essentially the study of how people create and maintain a sense of order in their everyday lives.

It's like peering behind the curtain of society's performance to understand the intricate dance of social interaction.

At the heart of ethnomethodology lies the idea that social order is not an inherent structure imposed upon us but rather a construct that we actively shape and reinforce through our actions and interpretations.

This concept, pioneered by Harold Garfinkel, challenges the notion of a static, predefined social order and instead emphasizes the dynamic nature of our social reality.

One of the key insights of ethnomethodology is the notion of "order as illusion."

We often perceive our social world as orderly and structured, but in reality, this order is often a product of our own interpretations and interactions.

Take, for example, the bustling atmosphere of a coffee shop with a long queue. We might interpret this as evidence of understaffing or profit-driven motives, attributing meaning to the situation based on our own assumptions and experiences.

Garfinkel's groundbreaking work also delves into the phenomenon of "breaching experiments," where individuals deliberately disrupt social norms to reveal the underlying processes of sense-making.

Examples include visiting a friend or family member and behaving as if you’ve never met them before, or putting your hand up in class only to deny having done so when the lecturer asks you what your question is.

These experiments, though ethically questionable, highlight the fragility of social order and the extent to which our perceptions are shaped by context and circumstance.

One of the most fascinating aspects of ethnomethodology is its exploration of indexicality – the idea that our understanding of the world is deeply influenced by the context in which we encounter it. Whether we're navigating a university lecture hall or a casual conversation with friends, our interpretations are shaped by the social cues and expectations inherent to each situation.

For instance, we are much more likely to accept health advice from a medical doctor in a hospital than we are from a friend with no medical training.

But perhaps the most profound insight offered by ethnomethodology is the recognition of agency in social construction. We are not passive recipients of social order; rather, we are active participants in its creation. By understanding the mechanisms through which we construct our social reality, we gain greater insight into the dynamics of human interaction and the complexities of our shared world.

So, why does ethnomethodology matter? Well, for starters, it challenges us to question our assumptions about the nature of social order and invites us to explore the intricate web of meanings that underpin our everyday interactions. It offers a fresh perspective on the fluidity of social reality and encourages us to critically examine the taken-for-granted assumptions that shape our understanding of the world.

As we continue to navigate the messy and magical journey of understanding human behavior, ethnomethodology serves as a valuable tool for unpacking the complexities of our social world.

So, the next time you find yourself waiting in line at a coffee shop or engaging in casual conversation with friends, take a moment to reflect on the invisible threads that bind us together and the illusions of order that shape our shared reality.

Want to learn more?!

I hope this brief glimpse into ethnomethodology has sparked your curiosity!

If so, and you’re into all things theory, you might want to download my free Ontology and Epistemology Cheat Sheet using the button below.