Ruth Holiday delivers an array of postmodern theoretical concepts in one of the first research studies to use video confessionals recorded by the participants. The exploratory study inspired by a postmodern proposition of identity construction investigates the informative value of visual diaries as a research method. Holiday presented her study framed by queer theory known formerly as gay and lesbian studies is an extension of critical theory. Queer theory is a hard concept to define based on the perspective attempt not to fit into anyone category of theoretical certainty, however, it is essentially the study of gender and sexual practices not conforming to binary or heterosexual categories and critically challenge heterosexual Ideology and society norms pertaining to sexuality. The author was originally inspired by a postmodernist concept that assumes identities are constructed and reconstructed by humans according to their surroundings and the spaces they occupy (Holiday 2007). Objection to this theory Is expressed by the writer reflecting on her personal experiences with queer subcultures that led her to believe identity is not a product of context chosen at will. Holiday reports her own observations that allowed her to read deeper into identity performances. Holiday surmised the identities of the closeted culture not to be quietly conforming to surroundings or being a product of occupied spaces instead they tempered their performances depending on the setting nd surroundings subtlety asserting their sexuality by leaving clues for anyone who might be “reading” into their closet identity. This perspective stems from the authors belief and interpretation derived from witnessing the closet culture trying to communicate the truth of their sexuality by the way they occupy spaces in unspoken uses of symbols revealing the truth for people who refuse to ask.
A theoretical difference of postmodern identity theory led Holiday to investigate three different spheres of performances to observe independently and use comparatively witnessing the transitions of construction between these spaces. To illustrate the changes in setting effectively participants were asked to dress according to the three spaces of observation being work, rest, and play. The study began in the late 90’s a time when video confessionals were popularized by reality TV giving Holiday the inspiration to pioneer visual sociology using video diaries for data collection in a first-person reflexive format. Visuals in sociology before reality shows only used still photography not yet recognized for more than aesthetic décor. Not until the early 2000’s when the method gained new objectives not discrediting the contribution created when using images for generating and adding to the collection of research was visual sociology widely accepted. The use of images as data was a paradigm shift facilitated by attention to specific cases of social research. The documentation of visually triggering topics like breast cancer and homelessness captured life stories without being too subjective. In a similar spirit of inspiring empathetic awareness using visual transmission, Holiday wanted the participants to represent their identities in a reflective way that could only be captured authentically by the subjects themselves.
Multilayered and highly relatable the exploration of two universally held human conditions known as sexuality and identity construction make this topic of research a compounded collaboration of theoretical perspectives characteristic of the queer scavengers of theory. I will attempt to identify all that apply without falling into redundancies. On the surface obviously this study is based on queer theory which spawned from critical theory. Both made possible and accredited to postmodernism the general theoretical connection when attempting to apply classical theories like interpretive, functional, and conflict to this study as well. Heterosexuals denying gays visibility when viewing this collection of diaries exploring sexuality and identity performance of the respectful closeted gay population cannot ignore the identity crisis forced onto this oppressed category in society. Queer theory is an extension of critical theory, and both carry weight in the purpose of bringing awareness to the homophobic problem and exposing criticisms of our societies ignorance that is driving this study. Aspects that are critical to the negative yet widely held societal believes and norms toward gay culture and homosexuality are shown through this collection of video diaries. It is hard not to criticize the homophobic nature of our society when you hear the non hetero commentary of those who feel obligated to hide parts of their identity and in of exposing traits that will stigmatize those who choose a life of homosexuality. This study uncovering and explaining the struggle of managing separate identities to satisfy societal expectations. Postmodern theory could be understood as the mother ship of queer theory with a focus on identity construction giving humans conscious role in this argument Holiday describes it to be a misdirected proposition of the theory because postmodernist do not agree that everything is destined, and society can be explained by singular definitions as the modern era once did. The next theory is interpretive, a general category that includes symbolic interactionism, labeling, ethnomethodology, and social construction of reality which I find to be very transparent themes in this queer theory study. Of course labeling theory is implied by the gay community being closeted and as an entire population choosing to assemble several versions of their identities based on the tolerance they will receive to avoid becoming victims of discrimination. Interpretive theory is an umbrella theory housing the queer theory, labeling, and symbolic interaction in relation to this chapter being the sociological study of society concentrating on the meanings people give to their social showing how reality is constructed through the daily activities a person experience. The spaces that Holiday is observing her participants for identity construction would be in an interpretation of their social world defining their reality by exposing their own identity performances. A bit more classical and a stretch from the previously describe perspectives, functional theory also earns a stake in Holidays study being that constructing identities based on people's expectations seemingly has been a functional way for gay people to properly function within the norms expected of them by the heterosexually dominated society. Which leads us to conflict theory as highlighting the struggle for power by the dominant group of heterosexuals abusing and oppressing the class with less power to be discriminated against, enslaved, and dominated by the power class prevailing in the closeted gay experience.
Holiday uses simple operational methods for conducting research of this complex sociological topic using a tool that had yet to be acknowledged by the academics in her field. Accessing her potential subjects through the snowball effect she used one interview to explain her guidelines, show how to use the camera and give out blank tapes for the two months of recording she requested from the participants. By instruction they were asked to pass the camera on to a new subject giving guidelines for each one to dress appropriately and explain the significance of their attire in that setting based on where they were going to be filming. Additionally, to document transitions in identity that might be occurring subtly Holiday prompted the diarists to choose their attire to match the setting of each activity as it occurred. Video editing and montages of thematic data relevance and encoding are used to protect and present the occurrences and to give a fluid presentation of the data during this is process. The lack of control and level of patience required to conduct this style of subject self-service collection of data seems lacking in ability to produce end results. I would guess unless a projects participants were highly motivated and more enthusiastic than the actual researcher. Problems collecting the data would be the first issue as far as how long and accurately participants cooperated. I'm sure the materials were entertaining I just feel it's arbitrary data from reading about this method it's hard to see how scientifically useful this method could be discouraging use of preexisting labels queer theory was compared to scavenging from each theory to the next taking back a mixed bag of ideology used to construct a new theory collected from others parts. A concept introduced from queer theory is queer reading as a way of writing the gay population and culture into institutions and situations that do not recognize them When exploring the identity performances Holiday found reflection was heightened with the use of video diary and the subject’s own process of. recording then re-recording. and editing of their own material was Improving upon each submission. One factor that should be considered with this method of Holidays very value was placed on the importance of accuracy or realism behind the data collected. Explaining this openly Holiday further expressed her negligent attitude of the individual beyond performance as having no truth. Once analyzed two styles resulted from the videos. One that was individuals following guidelines alone and opening up to the camera and the second set of subjects who included friends in their confessionals. The findings. were interesting. Diarists alone opened up, were more reflective, and felt better. when these same subjects were with a known other they became self-conscious of their performance. in front of a known audience. that disappeared when recording alone. Shyness or self-consciousness is caused by fear of judgment from a known audience. During confessional to unknown audience yielded more reflexive content. Holiday induced from this a perceived liability of overly self- examining in front of friends or known others is not an obstacle. Thus when conducting confessionals alone content flowed easier likely due to the freedom from criticism and judgment.
As a method of research, I feel this to be limited in approach. However, the point Holiday makes about a power struggle between the researcher attempting to coax subjects into disclosure will be the key contributing factor I take away from this chapter. Realizing people may be more willing to entrust detailed personal data when given space and control to speak about topics in the absence of a known other I am considering. This approach for my study on meditation, the majority of participants are friends and family members and my interview questions are spiritually based and personal designed to get authentic data. Now I am offering different ways of conducting my interviews to support options less I let subjects. I let the participant determine if they are comfortable face to face, filling out a written questionnaire, or rather record their answers and demonstrate their practice for. So far everyone interviewed is very open an have no hesitation when discussing their Meditation practices
Gregory C. Stanczak (2007) Visual Research Methods: Image, Society, and Representation (VRMISR), Sage Publications