Categories in Social Interaction

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 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.

“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.

• Chapter 0: Prologue: Why Categories Matter Chapter 1: An Introduction to Categories in Social Interaction Chapter 2: Approaching Membership Categorization Chapter 3: Methodological Principles, Practices, and Challenges Chapter 4: Forming and Making Sense of Actions Chapter 5: Referring to and Addressing People Chapter 6: Taking Turns at Talking and Selecting Next Speakers Chapter 7: Organizing Sequences of Action Chapter 8: Managing Troubles in Speaking, Hearing, and Understanding Chapter 9: Managing Knowledge, Experience, and Entitlement Chapter 10: What Now and What Next? Domain-Specific Applications of Categorization Practices