SOC388 - 5. Goffman

Question 1

Dramaturgical Approach

Answer 1

Social life like the theatre

Enacting certain identity we want to portray to others

Question 2

Dramaturgical Approach

Answer 2

We need a costume to project to others – speak, dress, move in a cetain way
Who we really are is never evident to others unless we convey a certain impression

Question 3

Impression Management

Answer 3

We manage impression we give to others
Personna: mask worn by actors
Small scale interaction

Question 4

Impression Management

Answer 4

How we manage interaction with others
Social order within a group
Everyday life is relatively easy because of social scripts – predictable behaviour

Question 5

Impression Management

Answer 5

If it feels easy, but those interactions are fragile

It is important to keep them strong and prevent them from breaking

Question 6

Definition of the Situation

Answer 6

Small situations = Short term interactions
We know there certain kinds of gestures, behaviours as indicators
Save us from embarassment in not knowing what’s going on
Knowing this makes life easier

Question 7

Definition of the Situation

Answer 7

Script: basic scripts but we improvise
Situation is often defined for us: we have to agree with it
Usually the one with more power has more control over the situation

Question 8

Definition of the Situation

Answer 8

We make choices: sometimes it’s not worthwhile to fight the situation
W. I. Thomas: If men define situations as real then they are real in their consequences

Question 9

Definition of the Situation

Answer 9

Sometimes things have consequences even if they aren’t real to you
If race doesn’t matter to you, but it matters to others, there are still consequences
By in large we are to agree so we keep things easy and smooth

Question 10

Dramatic Realization

Answer 10

We have to realize dramatically who we are

We need to put on a persona, costume, to convey impression we want

Question 11

Dramatic Realization

Answer 11

Diff in diff situation based on expectations warranted by the context
You always have a role + there are expectations, so we are always managing that impression
Dramatically make identity real

Question 12

Front Stage/Backstage

Answer 12

Spaces where we put our guard down
Backstage: guard down and not have to be doing much dramatic realization
Whether it’s backstage or frontstage is relational

Question 13

Frame Interaction

Answer 13

Limit, parameter - Frame matters
Can look at it altogether or frame by itself
Performing a function: limit, giving meaning by presenting the context

Question 14

Frame Interaction

Answer 14

Definitions of situations are built in accordance with principles of organization that govern events of our subjective involvement in them

Question 15

Frame Interaction

Answer 15

Principles of organization: what determines, beginning, end and middle of situation
Frame analysis: organization of experiences
How individuals experience events

Question 16

Personal Identity

Answer 16

With every role there are obligations because there are expectations
Right to be treated a certain way – expectations on your side too

Question 17

Personal Identity

Answer 17

Personal identity + definition of situation are related in interaction
Has certain roles ppl must follow

Question 18

Definition of the Situation

Answer 18

Normative pattern because situations are normally predefined

Sometimes interactions break down: Embarrassment

Question 19

Embarassment

Answer 19

Tend to see it as psychological
Deeply embedded in social situations + physical spaces
Embarassment spreads: Disrupts our interaction when expectations are not met

Question 20

Embarassment

Answer 20

Breakdown with either personal identity or definition of the situation
Unfulfilled expectations

Question 21

Embarassment

Answer 21

Not about breach of moral expectations

Expectations relevant to embarassment are relative to morals

Question 22

Embarassment

Answer 22

Moral because we have failed to fulfill obligations
Varies across cultures
Worse in some cultures than others

Question 23

Projected Identity

Answer 23

Has to do with roles
Screwed up role – not knowing answer in your expertise
As a prof, should know goffman, as a friend, don’t need to be an expert
Everyone in the class would feel uncomfortable

Question 24

Tact

Answer 24

Pretend it didn’t happen – saving face

Pretend not to notice

Question 25

Tact

Answer 25

Helping ppl save face

Performing a sociological function in maintaining definition of situation and their personal (projected) identity

Question 26

Normative Order

Answer 26

Associate physical closeness with social closeness
Managers have different entrances
Physically close to someone we aren’t socially close with, becomes an uncomfortable situation

Question 27

Normative Order

Answer 27

Garfinkle: breach situations + make ppl uncomfortable
Role segregation: separate roles for separate situations
when you’re with one group, and you run into another group, can’t separate roles so you feel embarassed

Question 28

Normative Order

Answer 28

relates embarassed to banter and jokes – in not taking ourselves seriously, I know I am not fulfilling that role
way of denying the situation

Question 29

Normative Order

Answer 29

gives elasticity to situation – can deviate a bit, but the definition of situation and personal identity can remain intact