Bright Exam 1 Ethnographies

Where did the ethnography, "What Goes Around Comes Around" take place?
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Where did the ethnography, "What Goes Around Comes Around" take place?
An African-American ghetto community in the Midwest
When did "What Goes Around Comes Around" take place?
1968-71
Who were the main subjects that were studied in "What Goes Around Comes Around?"
2nd generation, poverty-class urban dwellers who depend on AFDC
What was the purpose (why) of "What Goes Around Comes Around?"
To study the support system /network family and friends form when coping with poverty
What was the false stereotype about the communities in "What Goes Around Comes Around?"
That poor neighborhoods are disorganized when in fact they are very organized
How did the communities in "What Goes Around Comes Around" use networks to function? What were these networks like?
Networks - open, frequent communication between families / groups
Adaptive structure (sacrifices privacy for daily intimacy/cooperative support)
Describe the kinds of relationships found in "What Goes Around Comes Around."
Families - often complain; dramatic giving
Friends - more exploitation, distrust
What is "swapping" in the ethnography "What Goes Around Comes Around?"
An object or service given conditionally or with obligation attached to it.
What is the reciprocity norm as expressed in "What Goes Around Comes Around?"
The idea that when you give a service or object, you will receive one in return.
What is the goal of swapping in "What Goes Around Comes Around?"
Obligation (that someone will owe you one down the line).
What are some of the bonuses one could receive from swapping in "What Goes Around Comes Around?"Build credit with other individuals / groups - the more you lend, more you can take later Street cred Widen/strengthen your social network Avoid sanctions - gossip, martyrs Guarantees you won't go hungry ... or get aheadWhat were some challenges that Myerhoff faced when first trying to interview the community for "So What Do You Want From Us Here?"- They wanted to make sure she was Jewish before talking to her - They were suspicious about her home life and asked "Who is with your children right now?" - Personal bias - "Like many second generation Americans, I wasn't sure what being a Jew meant"Who wrote the ethnography "What Goes Round Comes Round?"Carol StackWho wrote the ethnography "So What Do You Want From Us Here?"Barbara MyerhoffWho wrote the ethnography "Feeding the Pigeons: Sidewalk Sociability in Greenwich Village?"Colin JerolmackWhere did "So What Do You Want From Us Here?" take place?Aliyah Senior Citizens' Center, Venice, CAWhen did "So What Do You Want From Us Here?" take place?1972-76Who was the subject of the "So What Do You Want From Us Here?" study?Elderly Jews (immigrated during WWII; focused on & raised New World children)Why did Myerhoff study and write "So What Do You Want From Us Here?"To explore the aging process; the importance of ritual, cultural strengthWhat was the mindset of some of the elderly Jewish people in "So What Do You Want From Us Here?" in regards to their generation dying off?"When we are gone, so will be our old ways"What were 3 key things that Myerhoff took note of in the "So What Do You Want From Us Here?" study?- Non-verbal communication - Gerontophobia - GuiltWhat is gerontophobia?Ageism (when old people are increasingly cut off from society)What kinds of guilt did the elderly Jewish people face in "So What Do You Want From Us Here?"Survivor's guilt x2 - others didn't make it out of Europe during WWII, and by now they've outlived many of their friends Guilt over failing to effectively transmit their culture to the next generation, trying to get their kids to succeed in this cultureWhat did Myerhoff notice about Jewish culture in "So What Do You Want From Us Here?"They drew strength from shared culture; developed their own rituals, meaning of lifeWhat was one of Myerhoff's main goals for herself in her study?To integrate her 'future' with 'present' self - she was Jewish and wanted to understand old Jewish women because that was going to be her one day. She wanted to gain empathy.What did Myerhoff have to change in her approach to get closer with the Jewish community?Developed a "strategy of intimacy" by approaching it as a fellow member of that group.Who is Barbara Myerhoff?Anthropologist at USCWhen did "Feeding the Pigeons" take place?Spring 2004-Fall 2005Where did "Feeding the Pigeons" take place?Small NYC parkWhat assumption was proved wrong by the Feeding the Pigeons ethnography?"99.99 % of people don't want pigeons" was a false statement. Several people came just for pigeons.What role do the pigeons have in the sociability of the people / atmosphere?They shape their time with the feeders. Playful interaction w/ others; noncommittal; experience the social, not materialWhat are some social bonuses for the feeders in Feed the Pigeons?It can be socially regenerating (good deeds). It has a negative correspondence with business / hurry.List some of the characteristics of the solitary feeders.Solitary, absorbed feeders (Anna) Reciprocal interaction "flow" More, closer / trusting pigeons Symbolic interactionism w/ pigeonsList some characteristics of the casual feeders.Spontaneous/contagious, 2 or more people Feeding was conduit to human interaction Briefer feedings Symbolic interactionism w/ peopleWhat are 4 characteristics of a good field study / ethnography?Non-judgmentally observe / participate, recorded (ASAP field notes) what people actually do (in their everyday context), and ... find out reasons why they do it - and/or - reflect, analyze and interpret your observations Time commitment, patience Experience subjects' world ... EMPATHIZE ... see things from their perspective No need to: focus on research design / Qs or share subjects' worldview.