Re: Naive question

Fcattus (fcattus@aol.com)
17 Dec 1996 09:51:15 GMT

to Shannon: Ask "What does this mean TO YOU?" and I'll agree with you! I
was not advocating only etic analysis; the problem is, a lot of folks
advocate doing only EMIC studies! And mental rules can be sincerely
believed in and demonstrably not an explanation of what an informant is
doing, I'll repeat--and informants may even agree. I'm not suggesting
debating informants--just looking at the bigger picture and trying to
discern cultural patterns, causes, etc. as well as descriptions of what
informants think is happening (which is of course very important).

--John