Deck 8: Symbolic Interactionism

Question 1

Spend 15 minutes observing face-to-face interaction in a public setting (e.g., campus cafeteria, church, coffee shop, library) and take detailed notes about what you are observing. Organize your notes and write a paper as follows:
(a) Briefly describe the setting you observed and identify the social roles (e.g. the hungry/disinterested customer, the loyal friend, the dutiful/sullen daughter) of the social actors you observed.
(b) Describe how the performance of each social role observed was executed (e.g., What script did the actors follow? What props were part of the interaction? What non-verbal signs were communicated during the interaction? What miscues did you observe?)
(c) Identify whether the performances you observed could be classified as "front-stage behavior" or "back-stage behavior," and/or showed elements of both. Explain the reasons for your classification.

Answer 1

The setting I observed was a campus cafeteria during lunchtime. The social roles I identified included the busy student trying to grab a quick meal, the chatty group of friends catching up, the cafeteria staff serving food, and the lone student studying while eating.

The performance of the busy student was executed by quickly grabbing a pre-made sandwich and drink, paying at the cashier, and then rushing off to find a seat. The script followed was to efficiently get food and eat as quickly as possible. The props involved were the food items and the tray. Non-verbal signs included a hurried and focused demeanor, and the miscues observed were dropping a napkin and quickly picking it up.

The chatty group of friends executed their social role by engaging in lively conversation, laughing, and sharing food. The script followed was to enjoy each other's company and catch up on each other's lives. The props involved were the food they were sharing and their body language. Non-verbal signs included smiling, nodding, and gesturing. No miscues were observed in this interaction.

The cafeteria staff executed their role by efficiently serving food, taking orders, and cleaning tables. The script followed was to provide good customer service and keep the cafeteria running smoothly. The props involved were the food items, trays, and cleaning supplies. Non-verbal signs included smiling, nodding, and quick movements. No miscues were observed in this interaction.

The lone student studying while eating executed their role by focusing on their books and occasionally taking a bite of food. The script followed was to multitask and make the most of their time. The props involved were the books and food. Non-verbal signs included a concentrated expression and occasional glances around the room. No miscues were observed in this interaction.

The performances I observed could be classified as both "front-stage behavior" and "back-stage behavior." The busy student and the cafeteria staff exhibited front-stage behavior, as they were directly engaging with others and performing their roles in a public setting. The chatty group of friends and the lone student studying exhibited back-stage behavior, as they were more focused on their own interactions and activities rather than actively engaging with others in the public setting.

Question 2

When Kate Middleton, the daughter of English middle-class parents who have no royal blood or ancestry, stepped out for the first time on the day of her wedding with Prince William (April 29, 2011), dressed in a simple but elegant wedding dress and wearing a diamond-studded tiara (loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth, her then-future/now-current grandmother-in-law), fashion critics and cultural commentators roundly agreed that she looked beautiful, and regal rather than a commoner. Discuss the specific concepts from Goffman that help make sense of this public role/status transition/performance, making sure to discuss and apply/evaluate concepts of role performance, definition of the situation, passing, audience(s), impression management, etc.

Answer 2

Kate Middleton's public role/status transition on her wedding day can be understood through the concepts of role performance, definition of the situation, passing, audience(s), and impression management as outlined by Erving Goffman.

Firstly, Kate Middleton's role performance on her wedding day was carefully constructed to convey a sense of regality and elegance. Despite her middle-class background, she was able to embody the role of a royal through her attire, demeanor, and interactions with the public. This demonstrates Goffman's concept of role performance, where individuals act out their social roles in a way that is consistent with societal expectations.

The definition of the situation on Kate Middleton's wedding day was also carefully managed. The public and media were presented with a narrative that emphasized her transformation from a commoner to a member of the royal family. This aligns with Goffman's idea that individuals work to control the definition of the situation in order to shape how they are perceived by others.

Additionally, Kate Middleton's ability to "pass" as a royal on her wedding day is a key aspect of her public role transition. Despite her non-royal background, she was able to successfully navigate the expectations and behaviors associated with her new status. This concept of passing aligns with Goffman's ideas about individuals managing their identities and presenting themselves in a way that is consistent with their desired social roles.

The audience(s) for Kate Middleton's performance on her wedding day were varied, including the public, the media, and members of the royal family. Each of these audiences had their own expectations and interpretations of her role transition, and Kate Middleton's performance was aimed at managing these different perceptions.

Finally, Kate Middleton's public role transition can be understood through the concept of impression management. She carefully curated her appearance, behavior, and interactions in order to create a favorable impression on her wedding day. This aligns with Goffman's idea that individuals work to control the impressions they make on others in social interactions.

In conclusion, Erving Goffman's concepts of role performance, definition of the situation, passing, audience(s), and impression management provide a framework for understanding Kate Middleton's public role/status transition on her wedding day. Her ability to embody the role of a royal, manage the definition of the situation, pass as a member of the royal family, navigate different audience expectations, and carefully manage her impression all contributed to her successful transition to her new public role.

Question 3

In today's digitalized society, a lot of work-related communication, personal socializing, shopping, and other information and service transactions are now conducted online and in the absence of face-to-face interaction. How would you go about researching internet communication from an SI perspective? Would it make sense to identify the varied personas and styles of self-presentation that individuals adopt in email conversations, blogs, and chat-rooms? Explain why/why not. How does internet role performance differ and overlap with the conventional rules apparent in face-to-face interaction? Does your self-presentation differ in different internet settings? And, to what extent do your various self-presentation strategies/performances differ from your face-to-face interactions? How do you establish trust in the absence of face-to-face interaction?
D

Answer 3

Researching internet communication from a Symbolic Interactionism (SI) perspective would involve examining how individuals create and interpret symbols and meanings in their online interactions. This would include studying the varied personas and styles of self-presentation that individuals adopt in email conversations, blogs, and chat-rooms. It would make sense to identify these personas and styles, as they can provide insight into how individuals construct and perform their online identities.

Internet role performance differs from conventional face-to-face interaction in several ways. In online settings, individuals have the ability to carefully craft their self-presentation, choosing what aspects of themselves to reveal and how to present themselves to others. This can lead to a more controlled and strategic performance of one's identity compared to face-to-face interactions, where nonverbal cues and immediate feedback play a larger role in shaping interactions.

In my own experience, my self-presentation does differ in different internet settings. For example, I may present a more professional and polished version of myself in work-related emails, while adopting a more casual and informal tone in online socializing. These self-presentation strategies can differ significantly from my face-to-face interactions, where my behavior is influenced by immediate social cues and expectations.

Establishing trust in the absence of face-to-face interaction can be challenging, but it is possible. This can be achieved through consistent and reliable communication, being transparent about one's intentions and motivations, and demonstrating integrity in online interactions. Additionally, building a positive online reputation and seeking out mutual connections can also contribute to establishing trust in online relationships.

In conclusion, researching internet communication from an SI perspective involves examining how individuals construct and perform their online identities, as well as understanding the differences and overlaps between internet role performance and face-to-face interaction. Self-presentation strategies may vary across different internet settings and differ from face-to-face interactions, and establishing trust in the absence of face-to-face interaction requires intentional effort and consistency.

Question 4

Identify the theorist, and explain why the self can only emerge out of social interaction.

Question 5

To what does the "generalized other" refer?

Question 6

Symbolic interactionism was a term coined in an offhand way (by Herbert Blumer) to describe a distinct theoretical perspective. Give two reasons that help explain why this term is an apt description of Goffman's conceptual analysis?

Question 7

Give two reasons why the metaphor of drama helps to explain Goffman's understanding of social life.

Question 8

Identify two examples of a total institution, and discuss one reason why they can be so categorized.

Question 9

Define what a social role is.

Question 10

Where does stigma come from, and what does it do?

Question 11

A school of American philosophy emphasizing the practical consequences of action is referred to as:

A) Empiricism
B) Pragmatism
C) Behaviorism
D) Interactionism

Question 12

G.H. Mead argued that the self is:

A) Already present at birth
B) Established during adolescence
C) Emerges out of social interaction
D) An internal psychological state

Question 13

The "I" is:

A) The same as the self
B) The individual acting subject
C) The individual's internalized attitudes of others
D) A self-oriented individual

Question 14

The "Me" is:

A) The same as the self
B) The individual acting subject
C) The individual's internalized attitudes of others toward him/her
D) A selfish individual

Question 15

Cooley's metaphor of the "looking-glass self" captures the:

A) Ongoing interaction of the "I" and the "Me"
B) The increased surveillance of the self in modern society
C) The idea that we are always subjects and objects to ourselves
D) A and C

Question 16

Socialization is extremely important because it:

A) Teaches us how to relate to others in society
B) Teaches us how to use symbols and language
C) Is the means of our individualization in society
D) All of the above

Question 17

Sociologists refer to the family as a primary group because it:

A) Is the only means of children's socialization
B) Is typically the first and most enduring source of socialization
C) The habits it teaches only matter within the family
D) It conditions all our behavior

Question 18

In social interaction, meaning is established as a result of:

A) Shared interpretations of symbols, gestures, and language
B) Symbols whose meanings inhere in the symbol itself
C) Guessing what a particular individual's gestures mean
D) None of the above

Question 19

Symbolic interactionists emphasize that social interaction:

A) Involves the exchange of symbols
B) Is an ongoing interpretive process
C) Requires individuals to respond to the cues of others
D) Is all of the above

Question 20

Symbolic interaction focuses on:

A) Organizational structures
B) Face-to-face interaction
C) Verbal communication only
D) Non-verbal communication only

Question 21

Symbolic interactionists emphasize that:

A) Meanings are established once-and-for-all-time
B) Meanings can vary across social situations
C) Meanings are something we can take for granted
D) Meaning is irrelevant to symbolic exchange

Question 22

According to Goffman, social role behavior is:

A) Spontaneous
B) Unexpected
C) Socially scripted
D) Self-oriented

Question 23

Goffman used the metaphor of drama to elaborate on role behavior because, like in the theater, social role behavior is characterized by:

A) The presence of an audience
B) The presence of props
C) The interpretation of cues
D) All of the above

Question 24

For Goffman, interaction rituals are

A) Ways of affirming the importance of social ties
B) Simplified ways of communicating a particular social status
C) Ways of behaving in public only
D) Ways of behaving at home only

Question 25

Team performance strategies:

A) Cannot make use of non-verbal rituals
B) Typically are performed in the absence of an audience
C) Require all team-members to reciprocally coordinate their performances
D) Require team-members to compete rather than cooperate with one another

Question 26

In performing our various social roles we typically use self-presentation strategies aimed at convincing others of the credibility of our performance. Goffman refers to this process as:

A) Role distance
B) Impression management
C) Performance anxiety
D) Team collusion

Question 27

A successful social role performance is contingent on the actor's ability to:

A) Express spontaneous emotion
B) Avoid using body language
C) Establish a particular definition of the situation
D) Change the order of the role's routines

Question 28

Role performance "back-stage" work typically occurs in:

A) The Oval Office
B) The classroom
C) The doctor's office
D) The restaurant kitchen

Question 29

Total institutions are settings in which:

A) The barriers between "front-stag" and "back-stage" regions are removed
B) There are no audiences
C) Social roles are loosely defined
D) Audiences are segregated

Question 30

According to Goffman, stigma is:

A) A natural condition
B) Socially defined
C) A source of discrimination
D) B and C

Question 31

In contemporary society, stigma is associated with:

A) Physical deformity
B) Character blemish
C) Group identity
D) Any of the above

Question 32

Symbolic interactionism highlights the:

A) Importance of a manipulative personality
B) Passivity of individuals
C) Reciprocity that underpins social interaction
D) Weakness of social norms

Question 33

The processes involved in symbolic interaction reflect and reinforce:

A) The spontaneity of interpersonal relations
B) Social order
C) The distinctiveness of public interaction
D) The irrelevance of social inequality in interpersonal relations

Question 34

Situational definitions or reality frames are strategies used by:

A) Individuals
B) Social movements
C) Institutions
D) All of the above

Question 35

Symbolic interactionism's focus on face-to-face interaction has been highly influential in stimulating:

A) Survey research
B) Personality research
C) Observation-based research
D) Historical analysis