Topical Talk, Ritual and the Social Organization of Relationships

Abstract

This is a study of how acquainted and unacquainted dvads initiated topical talk in an experimental in which they were told to get to knou'' one another or to warm up' before they were to debate an assigned topic. Referencing the uwas a device for initiating talk used by both acquainted and unacquainted dyads. When not doing setting unacquainted dyads introduced topical talk wvith announcements that relied upon interpersonal common knowledge. Unacquainted participants utilized sequences, by which they discovered and displayed categorical memberships and activities. Pre-topical sequences are examined in detailfor how, they allow the in situ negotiation of who will talk and what will be talked about. Pre-topical sequences can also be considered as ritual devices by wthich autobiographical talk is properly initiated. Setting talk, topical announcements, and pre-topical sequences are involved in the ongoing construction of intimacy and distance in relationship.