Conversation Theories

Question 1

Semantics

Answer 1

Literal meaning of words

Question 2

Pragmatics

Answer 2

Meaning inferred by context

Question 3

Face theory

Answer 3

Goffman (1955)

Question 4

Goffman’s Face theory

Answer 4

Face represents public image of ourselves that we seek to maintain in the presence of others

Question 5

Interaction order

Answer 5

The unwritten rules and expectations which shape how people behave in social settings

Question 6

Face threatening acts

Answer 6

Actions or behaviours which threaten a persons face, self or others

Question 7

Face work

Answer 7

Actions individuals take to maintain their face and avoid FTAs

Question 8

Strategies of face work

Answer 8

Avoidance
Corrective face work
Defensive face work
Protective face work

Question 9

Avoidance face work

Answer 9

Staying ways from situations or topics which may threaten one’s face

Question 10

Corrective face work

Answer 10

Actions which repair one’s face which has been threatened

Question 11

Defensive face work

Answer 11

Minimising actions which may threaten their face

Question 12

Protective face work

Answer 12

Supporting or helping others to maintain their face

Question 13

Brown and Levison theory

Answer 13

Positive and negative politeness

Question 14

Positive politeness

Answer 14

The need to be respected and valued as a member of the group

Question 15

Positive FTA

Answer 15

When positive politeness is violated

Question 16

Example of a positive face work strategy

Answer 16

Using jokes, nicknames, tag questions, slang etc

Question 17

Negative politeness

Answer 17

The need to have desires met unimpeded

Question 18

Negative FTA

Answer 18

When negative politeness is threatened

Question 19

Examples of negative face work

Answer 19

Using less harsh verbs like ‘could’ and ‘should’ to soften requests

Question 20

Grice’s maxims

Answer 20

Quality
Quantity
Manner
Relation

Question 21

Maxim of quality

Answer 21

Telling the truth

Question 22

Maxim of quantity

Answer 22

Give just enough information, not too much or too little

Question 23

Maxim of manner

Answer 23

Say something as straightforwardly as you can

Question 24

Maxim of relation

Answer 24

What you say must be relevant to the conversation, and not out of place

Question 25

Types of maxim breaking

Answer 25

Violation Opting out Flouting

Question 26

Maxim violation

Answer 26

When people disobey the rule of being cooperative in conversation

Question 27

Opting out of maxims

Answer 27

When the speaker is unwilling to cooperate in the way the maxim requires, such as refusing to answer a question

Question 28

Flouting a maxim

Answer 28

Intentionally failing to observe a maxim to give an implicit meaning to their utterance, like being sarcastic

Question 29

Implicature

Answer 29

When a speaker chooses to flout a maxim and the listener must work out the pragmatic meaning of their utterance

Question 30

Lakoff’s politeness principle

Answer 30

Suggestion that conversational interaction is governed by three maxims

Question 31

Lakoff’s three politeness principles

Answer 31

Don’t impose Give options Make receiver feel good