Home UPSC optional Sociology Paper 01 Sociology as Science Ethnomethodology

Ethnomethodology

Ethnomethodology, introduced by Harold Garfinkel, examines how people use everyday, common-sense knowledge to interpret situations, organise interactions, and act in the social world. Rather than offering a research method, it studies the methods people themselves use to make sense of reality—hence, it is best described as the study of ‘members’ methods’.

For instance, in ordinary conversations, humour, pauses, sarcasm, or tone are not merely exchanges of information but tools for constructing meaning and shaping social relationships. Ethnomethodology focuses on these unspoken rules that guide social interaction, such as how individuals know when it is their turn to speak in a conversation.

Core Understanding

Ethnomethodologists reject the idea that social order is imposed externally. Instead, they argue it is continuously produced and maintained by individuals through interaction. Behaviours like speaking politely, queuing, greeting others, or making space for someone are ongoing accomplishments rooted in mutual expectations.

According to Zimmerman, ethnomethodology seeks to understand how people observe, describe, and make sense of order in their lived world.

Two foundational concepts in ethnomethodology are:

1. Reflexivity

Social order is created through conversational processes.
People’s responses are shaped not only by what is said but by real-time expectations and shared norms, producing a constantly negotiated social reality.

2. Indexicality

Meaning is context-dependent—terms like “home” or “respect” vary in interpretation depending on situation, people, and setting. Meaning is therefore not fixed, but situationally constructed.

Critique of Mainstream Sociology

Ethnomethodologists challenge conventional sociology for treating people as “cultural dopes”—passive followers of societal norms. Instead, they emphasise that individuals actively interpret, adapt, and construct norms in everyday behaviour.

For example, when deciding how and when to interrupt politely, people rely on judgment, recognition, and negotiation, not blind conformity.

Criticisms of Ethnomethodology

Overly narrow focus: Critics argue it appears detached from broader structures, focusing excessively on minute behaviours.
Lack of direction: Anthony Giddens suggests it fails to account for purposes and intentions behind actions.
Triviality: Alvin Gouldner dismisses it for studying ordinary, obvious aspects of life while offering little novel explanation.

Relevance and Influence

Despite criticism, ethnomethodology has made lasting contributions, particularly:

In linguistics, shaping the field of pragmatics through the study of language use in interaction.
In technology and HCI (human–computer interaction), where insights from ethnomethodological studies of work contribute to system and interface design by understanding how users actually behave.

PYQs

Bring out the significance of ethnography in social research. (2019)
Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data? Justify. (2021)

Important Keywords

Harold Garfinkel, Members’ Methods, Reflexivity, Indexicality, Social Order, Zimmerman, Cultural Dopes, Pragmatics, Human–Computer Interaction, Positivism vs Non-positivism.

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