TRG and Cut off connections: A frame analysis of „Flashmeetings“ between Malaysian and German PhD-Students. Eileen Lübcke ITB, University of Bremen

Culture – the search for the deep turtle “ the danger that cultural analysis, in search of all-too-deep-lying turtles, will lose touch with the hard surfaces of life – with the political, economic, stratificatory realities within and which men are everywhere contained – and with the physical and biological necessities on which this surfaces rest, is an ever present one” (Geertz 1973, 30).

“ the danger that cultural analysis, in search of all-too-deep-lying turtles, will lose touch with the hard surfaces of life – with the political, economic, stratificatory realities within and which men are everywhere contained – and with the physical and biological necessities on which this surfaces rest, is an ever present one” (Geertz 1973, 30).

Frame Analysis by Erving Goffman A frame is the shared interpretation of a social situation by all participants In each situation framing takes place but which frame is in use will become visible only in the situation. As acting subjects individuals will not only follow norms and to meet the normative expectations of their interactional partner,but want to achieve the acceptance of their frames by others. “ Like a layer of an onion the shared culture is only one frame that must be addressed. There exist more framing options which are specific to situation, position, group or event within these frames” (Hettlage 1991, 416, translation EL).

A frame is the shared interpretation of a social situation by all participants

In each situation framing takes place but which frame is in use will become visible only in the situation.

As acting subjects individuals will not only follow norms and to meet the normative expectations of their interactional partner,but want to achieve the acceptance of their frames by others.

“ Like a layer of an onion the shared culture is only one frame that must be addressed. There exist more framing options which are specific to situation, position, group or event within these frames” (Hettlage 1991, 416, translation EL).

Changes of frames through New Media „ When to Make it Public or Private: Contextualizing Sexuality in Online Chat“ (Myketiak 2008). Sex-related talk in a chat with clear non-sex policy Women greet online friends (both male and female) with explicit sexual comments (e.g. I spank you all) Men avoid any sexual oriented comment Reinterpretation with regard to frames and framing process A sexual frame is used for informal greetings Reference to most intimate social situation is used to express intimacy with friends Active framing by the women neglect sexual aspect of the frame in use

„ When to Make it Public or Private: Contextualizing Sexuality in Online Chat“ (Myketiak 2008).

Sex-related talk in a chat with clear non-sex policy

Women greet online friends (both male and female) with explicit sexual comments (e.g. I spank you all)

Men avoid any sexual oriented comment

Reinterpretation with regard to frames and framing process

A sexual frame is used for informal greetings

Reference to most intimate social situation is used to express intimacy with friends

Active framing by the women neglect sexual aspect of the frame in use

Focus of research To what extent cultural differences of the participants do lead to a break down of frame? To what extent the medium in use does lead to a break down of frame?

To what extent cultural differences of the participants do lead to a break down of frame?

To what extent the medium in use does lead to a break down of frame?

The setting Videoconference between Malaysian and German phd candidates Background: 4 engineers, one psychologist, 3 male, 2 female One Malayen, two Chinese, two Germans Topic: qualitative research methods 5 sessions with varying topics, 1-2 hours long

Videoconference between Malaysian and German phd candidates

Background: 4 engineers, one psychologist, 3 male, 2 female

One Malayen, two Chinese, two Germans

Topic: qualitative research methods

5 sessions with varying topics, 1-2 hours long

The medium Flashmeeting Flashbased videoconference application of the Open University of Bristol, UK Audio-videochannel with one floor concept Additional chat channel and emoticon channel

Flashbased videoconference application of the Open University of Bristol, UK

Audio-videochannel with one floor concept

Additional chat channel and emoticon channel

Misframing because of technology Reliability in Analysis, 29.9.2007 Case studies, 29.6.2007

Frame analysis – breakdown of frame through the use of abbreviation Triangulation, 5.7.2007

Frame analysis – formal and informal addressing quantitative vs. Qualitative research approach, 15.6.2007

Conclusion Breakdown through use of abbreviation Misframing and breakdown through technology Frame maintanance strategies: Emoticons Explanation of behaviour Ignorance Technology alters in this situation more the communication than the cultural differences

Breakdown through use of abbreviation

Misframing and breakdown through technology

Frame maintanance strategies:

Emoticons

Explanation of behaviour

Ignorance

Technology alters in this situation more the communication than the cultural differences

Thank you for your attention.