Schmidl A (2021)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2021
Book Volume: 17
Pages Range: 6-21
Journal Issue: 2
DOI: 10.18778/1733-8077.17.2.01
Open Access Link: http://www.qualitativesociologyreview.org/ENG/Volume57/QSR_17_2_Schmidl.pdf
A micro-sociological examination of the driving lesson raises the following question: How
is the interaction between learner driver and driving instructor structured in this technical setting, and
what meaning can be ascribed in this threefold constellation to the vehicle with its various technical
elements? This case study examines the orientation patterns which exist between the learner driver, the
driving instructor, and the car, which together constitute a socio-technical triangle, and what actions the
learner driver needs to learn to enable them to drive the car safely. The theoretical background to the study
is provided by interactionist theories, which have been broadened to include a greater sensitivity for
the body and technology, and a sociological reading of postphenomenology. Using a method based on
this theoretical background and informed by workplace studies, this study observed and made audiovisual
recordings of driving lessons. This approach made it possible to undertake a detailed analysis of the
situations, reveal how the human body interacts with technology, and how a person’s attention responds
to technical information. In these situations, the driving instructor takes on the role of the translator by
mediating between various situational definitions—one’s own, that of the inexperienced learner driver,
other motorists, and the driver assistance systems in the car. The driving instructor represents the driving
school as an institution that is responsible for creating an intersubjectively arranged understanding
of how to deal with technology and socio-technical situations.
APA:
Schmidl, A. (2021). The Driving Lesson as socio-technical Situation. A Case Study on the Interaction between Learner Driver, Driving Instructor, and the Motor Car. Qualitative Sociology Review, 17(2), 6-21. https://dx.doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.17.2.01
MLA:
Schmidl, Alexander. "The Driving Lesson as socio-technical Situation. A Case Study on the Interaction between Learner Driver, Driving Instructor, and the Motor Car." Qualitative Sociology Review 17.2 (2021): 6-21.
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