Lecture 4 - is all the world a stage? the presentation of the self Flashcards

1
Q

Dramaturgical school

A

SI - exchange of symbols in interactions

focuses on how the self is “performed” for others

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2
Q

Why dramaturgical

A

actors on a stage

argued that people put on masks and performances to manage the impressions that others shave of them

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3
Q

Is there a self?

A

choose to act differently from our identities during social exchanges and … we have to practice identities before fully incorporating them into our senses of self

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4
Q

Ramifications for the self

A

able to audition different identities

shape whether and how we integrate these identities into a self-concept

the performance of the identity is central to its adoption into the self-concept

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5
Q

Areas of performance

A

front stage / back stage

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6
Q

Front stage

A

where we present ourselves to others

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7
Q

Backstage

A

where we relax impression management and practice our presentations

inaccessible to outsiders

allows people to knowingly violate the appearances they present in front regions

seeing backstage will ruin the performance that has occurred in the front stage

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8
Q

Types of presentation

A

multiple forms of the presentation of self

one may have an ideal presentation of what we wish we were

the authentic presentation is consistent with who we think we are

we present ourselves as others want or expect us to be

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9
Q

Authentic presentations

A

self-disclosure - revealing personal aspects of one’s feelings and behavior

self-disclosure tends to lead to greater appreciation from others and can reduce loneliness

disclosure that is too intimate for the depth of the relationship can lead to disliking

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10
Q

Impression management

A

the ways that individuals seek to control the impressions they convey to other people

tactical impression management because the use of use of conscious, goal-directed activity to control info to influence impressions

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11
Q

Impression

A

Likable and competent

we may also want to make people fear us, respect us for our morals, or feel sorry for us

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12
Q

Information seeking

A

we seek info from people in interactions

to help establish expectations for our behaviors and others in the situation

can attempt to manage the info that we provide to others, thereby managing expectations

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13
Q

Appearances

A

refers to everything about a person that others can observe

include possessions, clothes, physical habits, and non-verbal cues

through appearances, we communicate who we are and the type of actions we intend to pursue

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14
Q

Physical appearances

A

physical appearances such as clothes and make-up can be used to communicate identities

deviating from common norms can also be sued as a means of communication

Props- can also be used

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15
Q

Ingratiation

A

attempts to make people like us more through impression management

we are not necessarily always aware that we are utilizing impression management for ingratiation

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16
Q

Conditions for ingratiation

A

depend on someone else for rewards/benefits and believe that the person will be more likely to bestow these on individuals they like

when the other person has greater discretion in doing out these rewards

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17
Q

Organizational Context

A

when roles are ambiguous, members of the organization are likely to be unclear on whether they are doing a good job

people are likely to use ingratiation to ensure they are perceived as competent and receive rewards

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18
Q

Status and ingratiation

A

status also tends to shape the success of ingratiation

people of higher status tend to be less successful than people of equal or lower status

higher-status targets may be more careful due to a suspicion regarding ingratiation motives

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19
Q

Ingratiation tactics

A

“other focused”

  • opinion conformity
  • other enhancement
  • supplication

other -focused because they are intended to increase another’s person’s likely for the individual

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20
Q

Opinion conformity

A

when we pretend to share someone’s views on important issues

because people tend to like others who hold opinions similar to their own

to avoid arousing suspicion, one should mix conformity on important issues with disagreement on unimportant issues

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21
Q

Other enhancement

A

Outfight flattery or complimenting of the target person

effective when targeting areas in which individuals wish to excel but are unsure of themselves

people tend to respond positively to other enhancement due to vanity
- we like to be evaluated positively by others

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22
Q

Playing dumb

A

Another form of enhancement

when we pretend to be less intelligent or knowledgeable to give someone else a sense of superiority

people tend to play dumb when they hold Lower-status positions in competitive occupations where knowledge is valued

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23
Q

Additional reasons to play dumb

A

please ignorance or incompetence to avoid acting or taking on a task

one may also do so to avoid responsibility
- used by organizational leaders

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24
Q

supplication

A

when we convince others we are needy and deserving

separate from ingratiation

seems to be grouped here because it is other-focused and can ultimately result in ingratiation

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25
Q

Selective self-presentation

A

we present our qualities to increase our likeability to others

try to present our qualities in terms of strengths, virtues, and admirable qualities self-promotion)
-opinion conformity in job interviews may be more effective

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26
Q

Self-deprecation

A

present our attributes, but make an only humble or modest claims

especially effective when a culture values as honesty and objectivity in self-appraisal

used in moderation or people may form a negative evaluation of us

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27
Q

Computer mediated communication (CMC)

A

writer and the receiver are physically isolated from each other, so the receiver does not have access to nonverbal cues, which are often less controlled and therefore more revealing

people have more control over presentation of self, especially through control over content and timing of messages

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28
Q

CMC and interactions

A

this can be an idealized or imagined self

One can have a separate identity on online platforms, or change physical appearances

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29
Q

Additional presentation

A

present a self that could be produced in the future
E.g., Posting on a dating site 10 lbs. lighter than one actually is

others use MCM as a means of keeping the focus on the self
“I like to be center of attention”

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30
Q

Public figures

A

how they use social media

these individuals are often already in the public eye

how the self is presented as a means of communicating with a broader public

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31
Q

Instagram

A

Examined professional athletes’ instagram post

athletes’ postings conformed to gender norms
Ex: women were more likely to post pictures that involved touching

32
Q

Authenticity

A

athletes also were more likely to post personal or social pictures than athletics or competitions

suggest thatches was a strategy to appear “authentic”
-the more genuine an athlete appears the more they appear to share similar interests and characteristics with audiences

33
Q

likability

A

people attempt to manipulate their likability

using instagram as a form of ingratiation

they are using behaviour conformity

technique when one wishes to create a greater sense of similarity with one’s viewer

34
Q

When a performance fails

A

may not always be successful

experience embarrassment - feeling we we experience when the public identity we claim in an encounter is discredited

35
Q

Specific sources of embarassment

A

People’s performance skills do not match the identity they claim
“im a great cook”

Cognitive shortcomings, such as forgetting someone’s name

Violation of privacy
-In other words, the incursion of front-stage into backstage

Lack of poise
-Loss of control of equipment or one’s body, or tearing one’s clothes

36
Q

Embarrassment due to others

A

feel embarrassment when the performance of others fails

This can especially occur when our own successful performance highlights another’s failure

feel embarrassment because the assumption on which we built our interaction has been falsified

37
Q

Face-work

A

try to protect our own and others’ presentation of self

“lose face” when we fail to give off the desired impression

we may engage in “face-work,” “in which we to try to protect our own and others’ presentation of self

38
Q

why do we engage in face work

A

may not only endeavour to protect our own identity performance, but the performance of others as well

We do this in part to support the interaction, but also because supporting others engenders reciprocity whereby others may support us in future interactions

39
Q

Face-Work and embarrassment

A

when we face embarrassment due to our performance

responsibility is on person who caused embarrassment, but all may participate in negating embarrassment

may be motivated because embarrassment is uncomfortable to all involved

40
Q

Types of face-work

A

“save face”

Defensive practices are apologies or excuses for one’s poor performance

Protective practices are practices by one’s “audience” that help maintain the performance
E.g., ignore a poor part of the performance or let the actor off the hook

41
Q

Aligning interactions

A

“attempts to define their apparently questionable conduct as actually in line with cultural or group norms”

42
Q

Disclaimers

A

anticipate their performance “will disrupt smooth social interaction, invite criticism, or threaten their established identity

people attempt to prevent negative implications by defining their actions as irrelevant to their established identities

43
Q

An extraordinary case

A

performance would normally have a negative identity, but underscore that this is not a usual set of circumstances

negative judgement should be reserved

44
Q

Alternative disclaimers

A

“extraordinary credentials”
The “some of my best friends are” defense

one could point to a lack of credentials, especially when uncertain how others will react to new information or suggestions

45
Q

Accounts

A

These occur after disruptive behavior

repair the damage

explanations people offer to mitigate responsibility after they have performed acts that threaten their identities

be categorized as excuses and justifications

46
Q

Excuses

A

intended to reduce the observer’s tendency to hold the individual responsible or to make negative inferences about the actor’s character

also preserve the individual’s self-image and reduce the stress associated with failure

47
Q

Types of excuses

A

deny responsibility for unsuitable behavior

point to uncontrollable events

cite external coercive pressure

indicate compelling internal pressure

48
Q

Types of excuses: point to uncontrollable events

A

(“I missed the exam because I was kidnapped by Martians.”)

49
Q

Types of excuses: cite external coercive pressure

A

I stole the money because the Martians threatened to release embarrassing pictures of me

50
Q

Types of excuses: indicated compelling internal pressure

A

(“I would have come to the party, but I was too depressed about the war with Mars.”)

51
Q

Justifications

A

intended to reduce the perceived wrongness of behaviour

one admits responsibility for the unsuitable behaviour

one also tries to define the behaviour as appropriate under the circumstances

52
Q

Purpose of justification

A

admit responsibility but reduce the perceived wrongness of the behaviour
E.g., “Sure I hit him, but that’s because he said something bigoted about Martians”

the difference between excuses and justifications is that with a justification, we do not deny responsibility for unsuitable behaviour, and we do with excuses

53
Q

When are accounts accepted

A

People are more likely to accept accounts:
When the content appears truthful and conforms with the explanations commonly used for such behavior
When the individual who gives them is trustworthy, penitent, and of superior status, and when the identity violation is not serious

54
Q

When face-work ends

A

one’s audience may cease engaging in face-work

occur when people repeatedly fail to meet performance standards

Cooling-out or identity degradation are two alternatives

55
Q

Cooling out

A

Persuading someone to accept a less-desirable, reasonable, alternative identity
E.g., convincing a Master’s student not to pursue a Ph.D. and work for StatsCan instead

Based on persuasion, not force

Cooling-out actions usually try to protect the failed performer’s privacy, console them, and reduce distress

56
Q

Identity degradation

A

failed performer into a non-person

“An individual who cannot be trusted to perform as a normal member of the social group because of bad motives”

Imposes a severe loss, done with force, as individuals are made to take on new identities

Often involve a dramatic ceremony, such as a criminal trial

57
Q

Degradation vs cooling out

A

Cooling-out is more likely when the offender has had prior relations of empathy and solidarity with others and when alternative identity options are available

Degradation is more likely when prior relationships entailed little intimacy or when respectable alternative identities are not readily available

58
Q

An issue in degradation

A

rare that there are public ceremonies to restore someone’s identity or return someone to society

have suggested that community-based, public “redemption rituals” could ease someone’s return to society

Others argue for a lifetime of a spoiled identity

59
Q

Stigma and identity

A

how one can obtain a spoiled identity

concept of stigma

reduced in our minds from a whole and usual person to a tainted discounted one

60
Q

How stigma affects identity

A

stigma refers to a social identity, or membership in some social category, that calls into question a person’s full humanity—the person is devalued, spoiled, or flawed in the eyes of others

socially derogated group in turn leads to a socially devalued identity

61
Q

Degradation and stigma

A

becomes a felon or has resigned in failure

there are few public ways to remove stigma once it is created through identity degradation

One is always an “ex-con

62
Q

Varieties of stigma

A

he grouped having a physical defect, being a criminal, and being a member of an ethnic minority all under “stigma,” even though they have nothing in common

63
Q

What is common about stigma

A

it results in a spoiled identity in which one is considered lesser-than due to ability or morality

64
Q

Stigma and performance

A

overlays the performance of the self

one is prevented from a competent performance b/c stigma disqualifies the ind from the ability to perform well

result is discomfort during social interactions

65
Q

Stigma and discomfort

A

discomfort arises because both the performer and audience are uncertain about appropriate behavior

may be uncertain about whether to call attention to or ignore the stigma

Stigmatized individuals may vacillate between withdrawal and persistent against limitations

66
Q

Stigma and fear

A

non-stigmatized individual may also feel danger in interacting with stigmatized individuals

may also feel a risk of social discreditation from associating with a stigmatized individual

one may also feel disgust in interacting with a stigmatized individual

Sympathy and compassion may also be simultaneously felt

67
Q

Behavioral implications

A

non-stigmatized individuals will limit their behavior when interacting with stigmatized individuals

serve to limit the uncertainty when interacting with the stigmatized individual, thereby reducing their discomfort

68
Q

Effects of being stigmatized

A

When people experience a stigma, they will behave as if they are treated negatively regardless if they are or not

tend to perform more poorly, and exhibit indications that they are more anxious, tense, and less well adjusted

69
Q

Challenges to the presentation

A

the recipient of impression management may not be motivated to engage in face-work at all

If you win I lose

may lose in some way if the presentation of self is maintained

Car sales men – never assume that car sales man is trying to help you out because they helped you out
Catch them – present a self that may not be true
Ex: acting like you don’t know anything about cars but you actually know a lot

70
Q

Looking to unmask

A

motivated to the reverse of face-work

“unmask” the presenter and reveal in inauthentic presentation of self

may look to ulterior motives or cues that accompany action
Can you catch people in deception or people stretching the truth

71
Q

Ulterior motives

A

individuals may have self-serving motives, their presentation may be questioned
-May stretch the truth for their personal purposes

“the very conditions that increase the temptation to use deception also make the target more vigilant”

Ex: tinder date, having a drink, you may be more cautious knowing what their intentions are

72
Q

Non- verbal leakage

A

the inadvertent communication of true intentions or emotions through nonverbal channels

occur through diction, body language

one may have less control over some of these nonverbal channels

73
Q

Points to look for

A

lower control over voice and body movements

these tend to be the points of the highest “leakage” of information

that deceivers will try to shorten head, leg, and foot movements as a means of controlling leakage

74
Q

Detection of deception

A

tend not to correctly identify deception

rely on the wrong information or cues when judging deception

-High level of false detection because they tend to look at the wrong things

75
Q

Additional issues

A

Skilled tactical impression managers can provide a good performance

give off cues when acting as audience, thereby allowing the performer to adjust their performance

Ex: meeting someone new on a blind date
Ask lots of questions, and listen

76
Q

Best tips for detecting deception

A

pay more attention to auditory than visual cues - as these are less under control by a speaker

verbal content can also be informative
-because people who engage in deception stumble over words

Truthful accounts will generally be more logically structured and contain more details