Qualitative Data Qualitative Data Analysis: An introductionAnalysis: An introduction

Carol Grbich Chapter 13: Carol Grbich Chapter 13: Structuralism and post Structuralism and post

structuralismstructuralism

Structuralism: PrinciplesStructuralism: Principles the world comprises systems of centralised logic and formal the world comprises systems of centralised logic and formal

structures that accessible through processes of scientific reason.structures that accessible through processes of scientific reason.

Individual objects were viewed as being part of a greater whole.. Individual objects were viewed as being part of a greater whole..

Nothing was seen to be of itself, more as a representative of an Nothing was seen to be of itself, more as a representative of an style based in a specific culture and reflecting identifiable values. style based in a specific culture and reflecting identifiable values.

People become seen as objects/products of cultural networks, People become seen as objects/products of cultural networks, perceptions and values. - mechanical organisms produced by perceptions and values. - mechanical organisms produced by systems, and with defined needs, predictable behaviours and systems, and with defined needs, predictable behaviours and actionsactions

the underlying forms, structures and processes of construction the underlying forms, structures and processes of construction and transmission of meaning, rather than content, became the and transmission of meaning, rather than content, became the main focus.main focus.

Structuralism: Language, signs and Structuralism: Language, signs and meaningmeaning

language is a key process in the creation and language is a key process in the creation and communication of meaning. communication of meaning.

Language is a self-referential system - all Language is a self-referential system - all perceptions and understandings are framed perceptions and understandings are framed by words. by words.

Meaning lies within the text, a coherent and Meaning lies within the text, a coherent and unified structure derived from pattern and unified structure derived from pattern and order, order,

analysis involves uncovering these patterns analysis involves uncovering these patterns and their meaningsand their meanings

Structuralism : textsStructuralism : texts

The focus is on signs, signifiers, codes (the frameworks The focus is on signs, signifiers, codes (the frameworks in which signs make sense), and order and meaning in which signs make sense), and order and meaning through repetitions of patterned relationships, through repetitions of patterned relationships,

The privileging of binary opposites is integral. The privileging of binary opposites is integral. Everything is ‘text’, both the author and the reader are Everything is ‘text’, both the author and the reader are also viewed as social constructions.also viewed as social constructions.

each literary work, is part of the broader institution of each literary work, is part of the broader institution of

literature (langue) which is intricately intertwined in literature (langue) which is intricately intertwined in the cultural system.the cultural system.

Structuralist writersStructuralist writers1.1. Jacques Lacan : binary oppositions of the ‘subject’ and Jacques Lacan : binary oppositions of the ‘subject’ and

‘other’ to examine the development of the structure of ‘other’ to examine the development of the structure of the unconscious the unconscious

2.2. Roland Barthes : analysis of ‘objects’ in terms of a search Roland Barthes : analysis of ‘objects’ in terms of a search for their functioning rules for their functioning rules

3.3. Claude Levi-Strauss : myths and universal mythsClaude Levi-Strauss : myths and universal myths the ‘bricoleur’ (the odd job man) who re- uses the bits the ‘bricoleur’ (the odd job man) who re- uses the bits

and pieces at his disposal in devious and creative ways) and pieces at his disposal in devious and creative ways) the ‘engineer’ (who can access scientific thought, the ‘engineer’ (who can access scientific thought,

concepts and theories). concepts and theories). Both need to order and structure in the creation of Both need to order and structure in the creation of

knowledge. knowledge.

Criticisms of structuralismCriticisms of structuralism

Is there meaning beyond the text?Is there meaning beyond the text?

The problems of binary opposites

Signs and signifiers and the problem of desire

The position of the individualThe position of the individual

cultural concepts and the individualcultural concepts and the individual

Post structuralism:Post structuralism: a rejection of the existence of deep structure or form a rejection of the existence of deep structure or form

Acceptance that meanings signified by signs are conventions - Acceptance that meanings signified by signs are conventions - signifiers dance in an endless play of meaning with no relation to any signifiers dance in an endless play of meaning with no relation to any

integrated centre.integrated centre.

Discourses structure and limit the way we think, read and write, the Discourses structure and limit the way we think, read and write, the language we use and the discourses and tropes (metaphors) within language we use and the discourses and tropes (metaphors) within which we think prevent us from seeing the genesis and development which we think prevent us from seeing the genesis and development of ideas as the power-laden discourses that they really are. of ideas as the power-laden discourses that they really are.

Knowledge is unreliable if it comes solely from language. There is no Knowledge is unreliable if it comes solely from language. There is no absolute truth beyond or beneath the text. absolute truth beyond or beneath the text.

Reality is fragmented and diverse,Reality is fragmented and diverse,.. Meaning is fluid. There is constant referral of meaning, Meaning is fluid. There is constant referral of meaning,

All that we can know is textual and related to discourses. All that we can know is textual and related to discourses.

Criticisms of Post StructuralismCriticisms of Post Structuralism

its tendency toward nihilism its tendency toward nihilism

the lack of finite conclusions though the constant deferral of meaning the lack of finite conclusions though the constant deferral of meaning presents difficulties in terms of evaluation and policy decisions.presents difficulties in terms of evaluation and policy decisions.

the decentering of the author doesn’t take into account the fact that the the decentering of the author doesn’t take into account the fact that the

author still composes the structure of the text, has selected the ‘voices’ author still composes the structure of the text, has selected the ‘voices’ and manipulated the direction of interpretation. and manipulated the direction of interpretation.

the difference between deconstruction and good critique is unclear. the difference between deconstruction and good critique is unclear.

is deconstruction any more than an older authorial desire to is deconstruction any more than an older authorial desire to appropriate a text?).appropriate a text?).

how will the contradictions between culture and science be explained how will the contradictions between culture and science be explained without recourse to the language claims of structuralism?without recourse to the language claims of structuralism?