Dramaturgy and Performance Ethnography Flashcards
Dramaturgy is
the study of social interaction in terms of theatrical performance. Life is LIKE theatre.
Performance Ethnography is
the role of performance to sustain social communities, to express their values.
Who came up with the Dramaturgy theory?
Erving Goffman (1922-1982)
Erving Goffman was
A Canadian-American Sociologist
Erving Goffman’s main idea was that
social interactions of every day life can be understood as performance.
The process of portraying yourself to others in a manner that creates a desired impression
Impression Management
Goffman argues that impression management allows others to
avoid embarrassment.
Frames
Our understanding of what certain, familiar situations call for (appropriate behaviour, roles to perform).
What are the 2 selves in terms of the Dramaturgy theory?
Front Stage and Back Stage
3 critiques of Dramaturgy
- Lack of clarity
- Too Speculative
- Not a Coherent Theory
Hermeneutic Circle from the top, clockwise
- Near Experience Meaning
- Translation of Near Experience Meaning
- Behaviour Observed
- Distance-Experience Meaning
When to use ethnography?
- Searching for meaning of cultural norms and standpoints
- Examining reasons for certain behaviours or practices.
- Examining social interaction and encounters.
- Trying to understand the rules of families, communities, relationships and/or organizations.
What are the two types of description in Performance Ethnography?
Thin description and thick description.
Thin Description
Raw Observations
Thick Description
In-depth Understanding
