Bulmer, Mead, Labelling And The Dramaturgical Model

Question 1

Bulmer’s key 3 principles

Answer 1

1. Actions are based on the meanings given to situations and people
2. These meanings arise from interactions/experience
3. Meanings are fluid and negotiable between people

Question 2

Bulmer’s criticism of structuralist theories

Answer 2

They view people as puppets when there is room for negotiation

Question 3

Mead’s interpretive phase

Answer 3

Before we respond to stimuli we interpret the stimuli. We interpret actions by putting ourselves in other peoples’ shoes which is essential for societal function
e.g. if someone acts aggressively, we must determine whether they are being antagonistic or not

Question 4

Labelling theory: defining the label (thomas)

Answer 4

Believing that something is true impacts our response to it and the consequences for anyone involved
e.g. being labelled as troublesome means being treated that way

Question 5

Labelling theory: looking glass self (Cooley) and example

Answer 5

How we view ourselves impacts how others view us

e.g. Rosenham (doctor pretends to be mentally ill to get into a mental institution)

Question 6

Labelling theory: career (Becker and Lemert)

Answer 6

When a criminal is labelled, it becomes their master status, making reintergration difficult. This may result in them having a deviant career

Question 7

What does Goffman argue? (Dramaturgical model)

Answer 7

We actively construct our ‘self’ by manipulating other people’s impressions of us. We are actors presenting to audiences and aiming to deliver convincing performances.

Question 8

Advantage of this

Answer 8

Not deterministic

Question 9

Criticism

Answer 9

More a collection of comcepts rather than an explanatory theory