SERIES 4. Methodology
VOLUME ONE
Principles of Ethnosemantics
CHAPTER 4
Notes on ES-PROBE Technique
ES Probes
([[section]] 1). The notion of culture, as understood in the contemporary register
of the social and behavioral disciplines, is a conceptual reification
that implies such other notions as the social group, membership of the
individual in the social group, regulative systems governing constitutive
exchanges of participants' dealings with each other, record keeping
activities, relationship, discourse, productions, evaluations, change.
These implied notions in turn imply others. For instance, the notion
of record keeping activities implies such further notions as social
history, biographical record, legal evidence, scientific investigation,
Sins and the Day of Judgment, reputation, information retrieval, and
so on. And each of these in turn imply others. Thus, starting with the
notion culture, we can build a structural grid or arrangement of all
the notions that it implies. A labeled grid of this sort is called a
conceptual taxonomy.
([[section]] 2.) An ethnosemantic probe ( Es-Probe) is an analytic procedure for
the derivation of a conceptual taxonomy in a particular topic domain.
The procedure is mechanical and yields solutions that are recognizable
as standard and practical. For this reason, ES-Probes tend to be
clarifying and liberating. These beneficial attributes of ES-Probes
make them directly usable as forms of instruction, explication, under-
standing, psychotherapy, counseling, guidance, as well as self-elucidation.
The best evidence for these claims lies in their direct validation by the user.
An Es-Probe is a tool of investigation in situations
where clarification and understanding are of direct concern.
([[section]] 3.)The conceptual taxonomy derived as the outcome of the ES-Probe
is an ethnoscmantic outline (Es-Outline). Es-Outlines are formal
objects in ethnosemantics and function as derivation paths for the
generation of topic focus, topicalization, discourse (see Notes on
Ethnosemantics). ES-Outlines are mathematical systems describable
in the conceptual register of geometry and algebra (see Notes on
the Dialectics of Ethnosemantics). A formal characterization of ES-
Probes relates to the rationale of the ethnosemantic notation system
(see Notes on ESNOSYS), and will be described following some
practical illustrations.
([[section]] 4). The following six operational procedures fully specify the
derivation of an ES-Probe:
Step A. Select a particular configuration of labeled
topical entities. These constitute the
Anchor Concepts and define the topic domain
of the ES-Probe.
Step B. Derive the Conceptualizations by connecting the
anchor concepts two at a time and specifying a
resolution (see Method of Triangular Resolution).
The number of conceptualizations is an exact
mathematical function of the connectivity of the
configuration of anchor points.
Step C. Derive the ethnosemantic coordinate markers
(ES-Coordinates) for each conceptualization.
Step D. Derive the 8 ethnosemantic directions of each
coordinate system (ES-Directions).
Step E. Derive all dyadic interactions between pairs of
conceptualizations.
Step F. Derive all multiple relations between combinations
of ES-Directions for all dyadic interactions.
This completes the conceptual taxonomy
of the particular ES-Probe.
We will now present specific illustrations for these six
operations. Step A., the selection of the topic domain
for an ES-Probe is usually made by reference to some rele-
vant external consideration. In principle, since topic
domain is formally designated as the configuration of
anchor points, any selection (whether thought of as
"natural", or "random", or "arbitrary" or "subjective"),
any configuration whatsoever will thus define topic
domain, particularly (i.e., in terms of the particular
set one ''happens; to start with" and the structure derived
therefrom).
The simplest arrangement of anchor points is that of two
labeled entities connected by a line:
*_______________________________*
Mother Child
*_______________________________*
Golf Truth
*_______________________________*
The Watergate Incident Impeachment
*_______________________________*
Julius Caesar (Shakespeare) John Smith (who lives at XXX A Boulevard Middletown)
The next arrangement possible in 2-D is that of the -triangular
arrangement of three anchor points:
Two-dimensional arrangements c)f increasing connectivity can be
specified as departing point for the probe. Note, however, that the
number of labeled entries to be derived increases at a geometric rate,
and is driven by the expression:
Connectivity = [N-1]!
where N is the number of labeled points in the arrangement. Thus, for a
triangle, the connectivity is 3 [2+1]. For a quadrangle it is 6 [3+2+1].
For a star arrangement of 10 points, connectivity is 45 [9 + 8 + 7... 1] .
The connectivity of the topic domain (as defined by the number
of labeled anchor points in an arrangement) is a direct index of the
magnitude of the ES-Probe. Since we are treating, the probe as an
exhaustive expression of conceptual interconnectivity in an ethnosemantic
topical domain, each intersecting operation generates a geometric
accumulation.
Consider: a topic domain specified by 4 anchor points yields
15 dyadic interactions (Step E). The hexagon configuration, with six
points, yields 15 conceptualizations and 105 dyadic interactions. An
arrangement of l6 anchor points yields 120 conceptualizations and
43,336 dyadic interactions.
It should be noted that the labeling operation in ES-Outlines
employs the standardized procedures of ordinary practical labeling, as
used in the everyday practices of participants in some particular
membership group . Lexicographic taxonomies ( such as Roget's Thesaurus )
reconstruct "topic domains" by labeling intersections in terms keyed
to standard dictionary entries. These are examples of specialized or
artificial creations of topic domains, the kind that has a social
membership relevance keyed to formal educat ion (the curriculum, the
sciences, the disciplines, the areas of knowledge). ES--Probes of
Standard Topic Domains are useful for instructional, purposes where,
because of the unintended haphazard or loosely organized presentation
of the materials, clarification of positional interconnections of new
terminology is desirable . In such cases, the number of departing
anchor points will usually not exceed the cubic arrangement of 8 anchor
points (which yields a fully specified topic domain of 20 ,120 Standard
Terms -- surely enough for any existing, contemporary scholarly discipline) .
ES-Probes that are clarifying, of relationships that exist in
a situation or event, and thus increase understanding of it, do not
restrict the labeling of intersections in terms of pre-established
"keyed" Standard Terms, and use the ordinary competence of
participant membership for labeling in everyday ordinary practical dealings.
Thus, ethnosemantic "labeling"' labels topics, or topic domains, these
being natural products of standardized interactions (dealings,
transactions, conversations, discourse).
Since topic domains; are naturally occurring cultural entities
their connectivity, magnitude and identity are empirical parameters,
whose specification requires empirical investigation. ES- Probes, are,
therefore, formal mathematical procedures for the empirical investigation
of naturally occurring topic domains in the interactions of
participants in a membership group. We have not been able to find a
rationale for assessing the "upper limit" of topic domains in terms
of their size, organizational complexity, or "value" . No doubt this
will become a central issue in ethnosemantics as the empirical
investigation of naturally occurring topic domains accumulates a
sufficiently informative body of evidence as to the unnatural characteristics .
( [[section]] 6 . ) Topic Domains are the formal ethnosemantic objects that
underlie the derivation of Assertions and further, Arguments. Since,
Assertions and arguments are formal components of event, episode,
transaction, discourse (see Notes on the Dialectics of ethnosemantics),
it can be anticipated that topic domains characterize the essential
features of all substantive and thematic reifications of social life.
A specification of ES-Outlines that are recognized by a particular
membership configuration as "standard" (viz., dealt with in
standardized manner as revealed through the empirical observation of members'
practices) sufficiently characterize the particular identity of a
"cultural group". Therefore, ES-Outlines are informative about
special situations where the interacting participants identify their
belongingness to different particular membership group)s (c.f. "cross-cultural",
"ethnic minority", "standard dialect" -- these being labels
for topical domains recognized by the current membership of
psychologists, educators, linguists, language teachers). In such situations,
ES-Probes generated by informants who are also membership participants
may serve as a fully-specified contrastive description of two differ-
ent particular ethnic groups, as represented by the performance of
the participants involved in the cross-ethnic interaction.
([[section]] 7.) The above discussion examined some of the issues involved in
the selection of the departing configuration for the LS-Probe (Step A)
and consequences thereof. Step B involves the derivation of con-
cep-tualizations using the "Method of Triangular Resolution of
Contention Points" in the following manner:
With this arrangement, there are 6 conceptualizations to be derived:
A. (1-2): Adequacy
B. (1-3): Value Orientation
C. (1-4): Discussion
D. (2-3): Validation
E. (2-4): Policy
F. (3-4): Consensus
The labeling of a new point in a connected configuration of anchor
points to identify conceptualization is an operation achieved by
resolving a contention Point created by connecting two anchor concepts.
The immediate, evocative resolution of a contention point is
a naturally occurring discourse event that is operationally depend-
ent on the evocative discourse mechanisms of register (see Notes on
Discourse Mechanisms). Register mechanisms allow the derivation of
Assertions and Arguments (e.g. in discourse) as various transformationally
specified functions of topic domain configuration.
Therefore, particular resolu-tions selected for contention
points (as in the examples given here) are marked as individual
productions of participants. They are thus indicative of personal-
individual variations in conceptual organization and functioning.
Thus, the contrastive analysis of particular resolutions derived by
particular participants allows the characterization of individual
understanding. Similarly, the combinational analysis of sets of
such resolutions by different participants allows the characterization
of standard understanding through the specification of invariants.
([[section]] 6.) Step C involves the derivation of ES-Coordinates for each of the derived conceptualizations. Thus:
Derive from the ES-Coordinates just illustrated:
A. Adequacy: The notion of adequacy, seen as the resolution
between "Establishing "Criteria" and "Re-evaluation of Criteria", is
specified as the set of coordinate directions defined by "Perceived
Relevance" (of criteria established) and "Judged Responsiveness" (of
the re--evaluation process). The ES-Coordinate system allows the de-
rivation of 8 possible directions (Step D):
Similarly, the 8 directions of each of the remaining 5 conceptualizations
are derived by the same iterative process. We shall illustrate again with C.
Discussion:
C 1 - Availability
C 2 - Pre-occupation
C 3 - Animosity
C 4 - Amiability
C 5 - Contact
C G - Isolation
C 7 - Agreement
C 8 - Exploitation
The ES-Coordinates for Adequacy allow the derivation of the 8
possible directions:
A 1 : "Participation" is the label for direction 1, viz.
"an increase in perceived relevance of criteria established, but
without change in judged responsiveness of the re-evaluation process".
A2 : "Apathy" is the label for the direction defined as "a
decrease in perceived relevance of criteria established, but without
change in the judged responsiveness of the re-evaluation process".
Note that A1 and A2 are obverse directions of the notion Adequacy
(of procedures relating establishing and re-evaluation of criteria).
This is reflected by the felt antonymy between "participation" and
"apathy".
A3 and A4: "Efficiency" and "Inefficiency" defined as an
increase (3) or decrease (4) in judged responsiveness, but without
a change in perceived relevance.
A5 and A6: "Stability" and "Breakdown" specified as an
increase or a decrease in both parameters simultaneously.
A7 and A8: "Rebellion" and "Repression" specified as inverse
functions between the two parameters.
([[section]] 9.) Step E involves the derivation of
all dyadic interactions between conceptualizations. To continue with
the foregoing illustration, we have:
Anchor Concepts: quadrangular arrangement in two dimensions:
1. Establishment )
2. Re-evaluation )
3. Description ) of Criteria
4. Adoption )
Conceptualizations:
(1-2) A. - Adequacy
(1-3) B. - Value Orientation
(1-4) C. - Discussion
(2-3) D. - Validation
(2-4) E. - Policy
(3-4) F. - Consensus
ES-Coordinates and Directions
(1-2) A. Adequacy expressed as a function of Perceived Relevance
(vertical axis) and Judged Responsiveness (horizontal axis). The
8 ES-Directions specified by this coordinate system:
A1- Participation
A2- Apathy
A3- Efficiency
A4- Inefficiency
A5- Stability
A6- Breakdown
A7- Rebellion
A8- Repression
(1 (1-4). C. Discussion expressed as a function of Cooperative
Orientation and Competitive Orientation:
(C1 - Availability
(C2 - Preoccupation
(C3 - Animosity
(C4- Amiability
(C5 - Contact
(C6 - Isolation
(C7 - Agreement
(C8 - Exploitation
The final two steps (Steps-E- F) in the ES-Probe consists
of the operation of deriving the dyadic interactions of conceptualization
and their interconnected Arguments. In the example we are
following, we have worked out the 8 directions for 2 conceptualizations,
so that we can illustrate the last step. We thus have:
Step E: Dyadic Interaction between:
A - Adequacy
C - Discussion
This allows the derivation of the Argument, which is the fourth level
of ethnosemantic functioning (One was: labeling Anchor Concepts;
Two: Labeling Conceptualizations; Three: Labeling ES-Coordinates):
A + C = Interpersonal Climate
