Zimmerman and West: Basic Findings Interruptions

1
Zimmerman and West Basic Findings
2
Interruptions

• Interruptions are generally considered to be
  violations of the rules of conversation.
  Particularly in cultures such as the United
  States, where a study was carried out at the
  UCLA, it is important that the gap between turns
  be kept short.

3
Overlaps

• This may lead to overlaps at the end of the
  first speaker's turn and the beginning of the
  next speaker's turn. During the turn of the first
  speaker the addressee will provide agreement or
  encouragement through short interjections.

4
Evidence of Interruptions/Overlaps.

• Extract of Mixed sex Conversation War in Iraq
• Do you even remember why were in er, Iraq?
• It was somethin to do with that erm, 9/11 thing.
  Well, what I can remember it was a erm operation
  to try and stop that Bin Laden fella. To stop
  terrorism.
• Well it hasnt worked! But if they cant find him
  what's the point? Cos all of our bloody soldiers
  are getting killed over there most of them are
  only young lads!
• I know but its not like years ago when they got
  forced into the army. Theyve all done it out of
  their own choice. They should know if there going
  in the er army then its likely summats going to
  happen.
• 1 Nana
  2Granddad

5
MixedSex Conversations

This table shows the interruptions/overlaps in
the whole conversation. It follows the
stereotypical conventions for Overlaps with males
dominating but as we get to Interruptions the
female in the conversation is more dominant. This
is unusual as it doesnt follow conventions and
this could be for many reasons but I would say
that this is due to the age of the speakers, and
how they view social interactions.
6
Evidence of Interruptions/Overlaps
Single Sex Conversation - Exams

• How do you reckon you did with your maths?
• Not to bad I actually like the questions we got.
• 1. Well I knew everything but one thing.
• 2. Yeah well so did I.
• 1. I think Ive easily done .
• 2. I know I got the best marks
• Well am not looking forward the non calculator
  paper next
• OH next week!
• 1. What days it on again?
• 2. Havent got a clue...

7
Same-Sex Conversations

• Same-sex conversations Female Female Total
• Overlaps
  4 3 7
• Interruptions 11
  9 14

This table shows that in same sex conversations,
especially all female ones, encounters are fairly
equal which goes along with the order that
Zimmerman and West proposed.
8
Summary

• These conversation show that males are mainly
  more dominant in mixed sex conversations which
  can be seen as a way of gaining authority. Where
  as power is fairly equal in same-sex
  conversations. It was shown however that in all
  male conversations there were more
  interruptions/overlaps than in all-female
  conversations.