interaction Flashcards
Sociologists argue that society is socially constructed. Explain what this means.
aspects of society are social constructs.
A social construct doesn’t exist in objective reality but is created socially via interaction. Many sociologists argue that all
Example: Money; paper slips or numbers stored in computer databases don’t have objective value. Money is valuable
because we have collectively decided to value it through interaction.
Explain the relationship between culture, social structure, & interaction.
Interaction is the process that connects and allows culture and social structure to impact human behavior. Each of the 3 elements is important; none are more important than the others.
How does culture provide us with ‘scripts’? Give an example
We learn the role that is attached to a certain structural position. Thus, when tasked with behaving properly, we can turn to the ‘script that our culture provides for someone in our position.
Example: If you work as a waiter/waitress, you have a script of lines ready to use, such as:
“What can I get you to drink?”
“Are vou ready to order?”
“How is the food?”
“Can I get the check?”
What is interaction according to symbolic interactionists (think symbols and their use)?
The continual transmission of symbolic gestures
-Does interaction require verbal communication?
No, it can be done with without words
How does our ability to role-take’ facilitate (make easier/smoother) interaction?
Through role-taking, we can anticipate others’ behavior and adjust our behavior accordingly.
Example: Compare your conversations in person vs. on the phone. Conversations are more difficult on the
phone because you lack significant behavioral cues that help you role-take.
What does Mead mean by ‘the looking-glass self?
You learn who you are by the way that other people treat you. All the symbolic information directed at you informs your definition of self. Thus, the self emerges socially via interaction, not from within.
What is ‘mind’ according to Mead?
The ability to rehearse and practice for future interactions.
Explain Goffman’s Dramaturgy using the theater analogy. How is our reality socially constructed, according to Goffman
All life is a play. Social structure provides the stage, and culture tells us how to play our parts. We actively construct our realities through interaction by trying to play the part that society expects from us.
Front Stage: the social arena in which we constantly engage in impression management to play our “part.” We constantly try to behave in a way to elicit the “right” responses from others.
Back Stage: We can be truer to our “real” selves away from the social arena. Less worried about giving off the “right” impressions. Less constrained by society’s expectations.
• What is impression management?
The process by which we try to control the impressions that others develop of us. We try to attach certain symbols to ourselves so that others see us as we want.
Explain how impression management, symbols, and role-taking impact our behavior on a first date.
Before you go on a first date, we mentally rehearse how the date will play out. We try to prepare ourselves to give off the impression we think our date would like. During the day we constantly engage in impression management by attaching symbols to ourselves that we that we think will impact the impression that are dates develop of us.
Why are first impressions so important? (all else equal, why is our first impression more important than a second impression?)
The second impression is due to the lines of a first impression. First impressions influence all future impressions.
According to scientific standard of evidence, do polygraph test accurately detect lying?
No, polygraph test accurately detect certain biological changes such as heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance. These biological changes can occur for many reasons, not just because someone is lying.
Can fMRI detect lying?
Nope, there is no universal pattern of brain behavior that signifies lying.
Why are ex-cons better at lying (lower physiological response) than non-criminals?
Practice makes perfect. They have more experience lying, so their behaviors vary less when they lie.
How has increased media use impacted iGen both positively and negatively, according to lecture?
iGen - individuals born after 1995
Positives - physically safer due to lower likelihood of leaving home, lower rates of alcohol abuse and drunk driving
Negatives - mental health, rise in depression and depressive symptoms