Folk Talking, Folk Listening: How Alcoholics Anonymous Works

261 Pages·2012·1.32 MB·English

by  Maggi Michel

UCLA
UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Title
Folk Talking, Folk Listening: How Alcoholics Anonymous Works
Permalink
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1p3390m5
Author
Michel, Maggi
Publication Date
2012

Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation
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University of California
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles

Folk Talking, Folk Listening:
How Alcoholics Anonymous Works

A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the
requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy
in Culture and Performance

by

Maggi Michel

2012
© Copyright by
Maggi Michel
2012
ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION
Folk Talking, Folk Listening:
How Alcoholics Anonymous Works

by

Maggi Michel

Doctor of Philosophy in Culture and Performance
University of California, Los Angeles, 2012
Professor Michael Owen Jones, Chair

This performance-centered examination of over twenty-seven years of fieldwork in the
study of folk narrating practices in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in Los Angeles emphasizes
folk listening as performative and as an important mechanism for change in recovering
alcoholics. Analysis of customary performance of the A.A. folk repertoire of slogans and
sayings offers a method of interpretation of these ―bullet points of recovery‖ and employs that
method to answer questions about spirituality and problematic use of the term ―God.‖ A
folkloristic view of the folk listening component of narrating practice examines special narrating
forms called ―speaking‖ and ―sharing‖ and shows listening skills as essential to empathic
connections in this mutual-help group. Neural implications of repetition, imitation, high-emotion
storytelling, and identity development are explored as functions of mirror cells, hippocampal
ii
plasticity, and the role of the amygdala in memory. Recovery outcomes for individuals who
assemble A.A. folklore and folk practices to build connections to others are presented in light of
R. Georges and M.O. Jones‘ concept of folklore as a personal resource.
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The dissertation of Maggi Michel is approved.
Donald J. Cosentino
Stephen I. Yenser
Michael Owen Jones, Committee Chair

University of California, Los Angeles
2012
iv
Dedication
Kind Sophia, who listened until I got my heart right
Michael Owen Jones, whose brilliance is rivaled only by his kindness
Stephen Yenser, who sees beyond sight and knows the best words in the best order

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Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction .......................................................................................1
Chapter Two: Alcoholics Anonymous...................................................................54
Chapter Three: Lore and Its Uses .........................................................................81
Chapter Four: Talking about God .......................................................................102
Chapter Five: If I Get My Heart Right.................................................................123
Chapter Six: A Typical Meeting .........................................................................144
Chapter Seven: Workshops for Sobriety .............................................................198
Chapter Eight: Newcomers to Old-Timers ..........................................................225
Bibliography ........................................................................................................231

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Acknowledgements
Many wonderful colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles and at California
University, Northridge, have helped me along the way. I thank you all for your dedication and
the excellence you bring to everything you do. I am so fortunate to have worked with you. Thank
you to all the people in the American Folklore Society and Western Folklore Society who have
encouraged me and set an example of outstanding professionalism and scholarship in person and
in print.
I know that in the next few weeks I will recall more names I should have listed here. Forgive me,
please, if yours is one of them. Despite the failure of my memory at the moment of making this
list, I appreciate you none the less and thank you for your generosity.
Doctoral Degree Committee
Michael Owen Jones, Chair
Donald Cosentino
Colin Quigley
Stephen Yenser
Master’s Degree Committee
Michael Owen Jones, Chair
Donald Cosentino
Peter Tokofsky

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Bachelor’s Degree, Honors Program Individual Major Committee
G. Jennifer Wilson, Chair
Miriam Robbins Dexter
Stephen Yenser
Respected Colleagues
Debra Buchholtz
Jeanette Gilkison
Joy Harjo
Angelia Leung
Sabina Magliocco
Antone Minard
Janel Munguia
Kerri Noonan
Patrick Polk
Greg Sarris
Carolyn See
Peter Sellars
Mona Simpson
Polly Stewart
Wendy Temple
Christopher Waterman
G. Jennifer Wilson

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