Maximal interpretations, which we have discussed with regards to Reed's "Interpretation and Social Knowledge" is a form of interpretation that requires moving beyond the surface of an event or phenomena and actively searching for deeper meaning through social context, historical location, and analysing the internal life as well. Minimal interpretation focuses more at face value what occurred and its closeness to empirical fact, while maximal interpretation emphasises why, how, and what it means that that even occurred. Maximal interpretations consider the "layers of meaning" (Reed 106), the historical conditions that made something possible, and moving beyond simple fact and theory. Deeper interpretations such as this can actually shed light on the mechanisms below the surface. Our understandings and personal reflections can effect our maximal interpretations in the way that it can give us insight or cause us to consider key details or features that another may not notice. Maximal interpretations grasp the larger more abstract context and narratives but then looking closer at the social mechanisms, contextual elements, and more that paint a more detailed picture. For example, if I were to show someone a picture of a woman in a white dress in front of a tree, their initial interpretation/more minimal interpretation would likely be that it's a picture of a woman, probably in spring time, as it's warm enough for her to be wearing a dress and the tree is blooming with flowers. But a more maximal interpretation would consider things like: what country is she in? If she is in perhaps the united states, her white dress could mean she is getting married (brides traditionally wear white dresses). She looks like she is young, maybe in her twenties, so perhaps she is marrying someone she has known for a long time. If I look at her facial expression, she has a slight smile on her face. She is looking directly at the camera so maybe she is friends or close to the person who is taking her photo as she is relaxed and does not look too posed (as a professional photographer might have her do). And if I look closer at her jewellery, it looks fairly vintage, so maybe this is jewellery her mother and grandmother wore at their weddings as well, passed onto her. In that case, her family is probably supportive of this marriage and is there with her to celebrate. And the beautiful tree behind her, maybe this is in her backyard and this is a tree that watched her go through the phases of life, or perhaps a location that is meaningful to her. Who is this photo being taken for? Maybe it's to put in a memory book to pass down through generations, or maybe she will send this photo to someone who could not attend the wedding. This type of interpretation considers specific elements such as location, age, generational context, tradition, webs of social relationships. Not just a description or surface evaluation, but a mindful and active participation of the analyser that makes maximal interpretations valuable. Work Cited: Isaac Reed's "Interpretation and Social Knowledge: On the use of Theory in the Human Sciences" 2011