Space, mobility, and interaction

Smith, Robin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7457-9690 2021. Space, mobility, and interaction. Vom Lehn, Dirk, Ruiz-Junco, Natalia and Gibson, Will, eds. The Routledge International Handbook of Interactionism, Routledge International Handbooks, Abingdon and New York: Routledge,

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Abstract

This chapter introduces Interactionist theory and research concerning the social organisation of space and mobility. The chapter discusses both classic and contemporary studies in demonstrating the ways in which ‘space’ is not a ‘container’ of social action, but is accomplished in and through interaction and, consequently, mobilities. I trace these more recent developments from the early insights of pragmatist and phenomenological philosophy and the Chicago School ethnographies. Moving forward, the chapter outlines some of the interactionist contribution to studies of place and landscape, before considering the centrality of space (and territories in particular) and movement in Erving Goffman’s notion of interaction order. The chapter also discusses space and mobility as resources for the accomplishment of interaction in, for example, encounters between strangers in public space. Finally, the chapter introduces research that has focused upon interactions that take place open the move, and the social organisation of mobile formations and mobilities in a range of contexts and settings. In sum, the chapter outlines the ways in which Interactionism is necessarily concerned with matters of space and mobility, not as sub-fields or topics, but as the very stuff of the social world.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Publisher:	Routledge
ISBN:	9780367227708
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 September 2021
Date of Acceptance:	1 July 2020
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2022 02:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/144466

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