'Abnormalization' of ethnic minorities in conversation

Social psychologists studying intergroup relations have shown a renewed int erest in social norms. In doing so, norms are treated typically as a non-pr oblematic given and independent of the actual practices people are involved in. This study examines the discursive construction and representation of abnormality by analysing discussions held by some ethnically Dutch inhabita nts of old inner-city quarters in Rotterdam. It is shown how these people i n focus-group type talk construct the behaviour of ethnic minority resident s as 'abnormal' in a recognizable number of ways. They set the ethnic minor ity residents in contrast with 'obviously normal' practices; they use extre me case formulations in describing their behaviour; and they draw upon 'una rguable' human values in explaining their judgments. Further, specific vers ions of reality were constructed in providing a justificatory account of th eir assessment, and undermining cultural interpretations were managed by cr iticizing ethnic minority culture, questioning particular behaviour as an i nstance of culture, and arguing for the need for adaptation.