Les non-relations – Analyse typologique et portée heuristique d’un biais

Abstract

Non-relationships – A Typological Analysis and the Heuristic Scope of a Bias: This article proposes to examine lost, broken or negative social ties, defined here as non-relations. Their analysis is derived from a larger study on practice and relational activity where the social relationship is the main analytical unit. From biographical interviews and name generators, the mapping out of personal networks can highlight how individual ties develop, organize and maintain social relationships in all of ego’s social circles. However, despite the initial definition of a social relationship as we consider it in this research, respondents’ biographical resistance produced a fully defined other entity : the non-relation. Deconstruction criteria of such ties then appear concretely and inform us concerning individual’s relational practice and the sociability work involved.