Topic 13 - Shared knowledge and absurdist drama (Session A) > More about shared schematic knowledge > Task B

More about shared schematic knowledge

Task B – Our answer

The man in the uniform is unlikely to be a university teacher because university teachers don’t normally wear institutional uniforms (even though the ubiquitous informal trousers plus shirt/blouse and or jumper constitute the informal equivalent of a uniform).

The man in the mortar board and gown is stereotypical, and would have been common in earlier generations, but is now rather rare. This example helps us to see a distinction between the stereotype and the schema. Stereotypes are often outdated schemas or exaggerations of schemas. Even so, the stereotype is bound to share some features with the schematic prototype. Even though there are many more women university teachers than there used to be, males still predominate. And although most academics do not need a stick to walk with, age is a factor: even the youngest university tedachers will be in their late twenties because of the time it takes to train to PhD level (a normal prerequisite for academia these days). Glasses are also pretty common, being largely a function of age and the need to do lots of reading in the job.

The baby is clearly much too young to have gained the requisite knowledge and skills, even if it is a child prodigy. And the (lack of) clothing and dummy are pretty unlikely too!

The woman with blackboard rubber and chalk fits the university teacher category (though it is worth noting that blackboard and chalk are becoming rare in the early 21st century, as is the skirt). In terms of appearance, the female figure is ambiguous between the categories of university teacher and schoolteacher.

The figure of the man with the tie, like the woman, is somewhat ambiguous. Some male university teachers do wear ties, so this aspect of his dress fits. But given the rather elementary sum on the blackboard, you may well conclude that he is a primary school teacher rather than a university teacher – unless he is using the simple example for some other teaching purpose.

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