Goffman Flashcards
Explain Civil inattention?
Looking at someone to recognize their presence, and then looking away to show they are not the target of curiosity (ex. Walking on the street, glance up at passerby - then look away)
People used to find ways around this (ex. Sunglasses, parasols, fans etc)
What is Infraction of civil inattention? Is it punished?
staring at someone when they’ve looked away.
In the west middle class, failure to keep civil inattention is not directly punished.
Direct punishment example: A commoner glancing at an emperor (would get punished)
What are face engagements?
Face engagements / an encounter
Face engagements: two or more people opening keeping a single focus of cognitive and visual attention. ( a single mutual activity)
Ex. people in the same situation may engage in conversation
Examples: small talk, commensalism ( getting food from someone ?), sex, gaming, formal discussion, personal servicing (waitress, selling etc).
Can sometimes be individual tasks someone joins in on (ex. Homework and someone helps)
Can also be nonverbal (exchanging cards in a card game, conducting a work task)
If only two people it will be a fully focused encounter
What is a partially focused gathering?
If there is three people one person is unengaged
What is a multi focused gathering?
If there is more then 3 ppl, can be more then one encounter at once
How is an encounter usually started?
by someone making an opening move (special tone, or expression of the eyes)
Eye contact is important (mutual look can signify something, which is why a lot of people avoid it - ex waitress)
Mutual glances should be withheld if you want to avoid an encounter
Physical closeness can also stimulate conversation (ex. If close on bench vs across the room)
Is everyone allowed to speak in an encounter?
In an encounter, the right to listen is shared by all, but the right to speak is more restricted.
What are obligatory interactions?
There are also obligatory interactions (ex. Greeting someone as they enter a party.)
Is two people hanging out in silence a form of connection?
Yes
What are “safe supplies”
Safe things to talk about with another person
Are people always ready to engage in conversation?
Yes
In every situation, every person is usually ready to be engaged in convo
Often people do it so their interests can be served
Owe engagement to others around you (collective solidarity)
Also a sign of social class
What happens if you are too open to conversation?
But warning: if you make urself too available for convo, you open the risk to be attacked (ex. Places without public safety) (open urself up to pleading, commands, threats, etc)
How can words be used as a “relationship wedge”
start talking, you both are similar, dating, then married
Do mentally ill follow the norms of communication?
Mentally ill people often do not follow the norms of communication
And people who is said to be out of contact - that fact is used as evidence they are mentally ill
Mentally ill people can still fall back into the norms and “pass” as “normal people”
What are cues to leaving a mutual interaction?
Can be closing remarks, or vacant state (but should come from the interviewer)
Some ppl also get accustomed to someone helping them - so they don’t end the convo (ex. Mental health patient keeping a staff member in a mutual exchanger despite the cues they are getting to end it)
