'Cheaters and Stalkers': Accusations in a classroom. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niemi, Kreeta; Bateman, Amanda
• Is Part Of: Discourse studies. Volume 17:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Accountability -- accusations -- classroom interaction -- conversation analysis -- membership categorization analysis -- moral orders -- participation framework; Discourse analysis -- Periodicals; 401.405
• DOI: 10.1177/1461445614557755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-4456

Abstract

This article explores accusations as collaboratively accomplished in classroom peer interactions in the absence of a teacher. The analysis shows how the children use local classroom rules and teacher authority as resources and warrants to invoke multi-layered moral orders and identities, and hold one child accountable through accusations about their behavior. The accused children are categorized in a duplicative way with morally degrading descriptions and as out-group members. This article argues that understanding children's accusations requires understanding of how such interactions compose and reflect the school context that is co-produced through the implementation of accountable ways in which to behave.