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Interpretative Sociology
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How does the concept of 'verstehen' differ fundamentally from 'ethnomethodology' in interpretative sociology?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

'Verstehen' focuses on the subjective understanding of social actions, while 'ethnomethodology' examines the methods people use to make sense of their everyday lives.

B

'Verstehen' deals with societal structures, whereas 'ethnomethodology' ignores social context.

C

'Verstehen' is primarily qualitative, while 'ethnomethodology' is quantitative.

D

'Verstehen' is a theoretical approach, whereas 'ethnomethodology' is purely practical.

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

'Verstehen' is a German word that means understanding, and in interpretative sociology, it refers to the deep understanding of social actions by seeing the world from the perspective of the people involved. This concept emphasizes empathy and insight into how individuals interpret their own experiences and actions. On the other hand, ethnomethodology focuses on the everyday methods people use to make sense of their social world, often examining the rules and practices that guide interactions. For example, while 'verstehen' might involve understanding why someone feels sad about a breakup by considering their emotions, ethnomethodology would look at how people talk about breakups in conversation and the social norms that shape those discussions. In short, 'verstehen' seeks to understand meaning, while ethnomethodology studies the methods of social interaction.

Detailed Explanation

'Verstehen' means understanding people's feelings and thoughts. Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that 'verstehen' ignores social context, which is not true; 'Verstehen' and 'ethnomethodology' are both qualitative, not quantitative.

Key Concepts

verstehen
ethnomethodology
Topic

Interpretative Sociology

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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