The purpose of response cries, according to Erving Goffman, is to:
A) express the person's unconscious motivations
B) show others one's continued competence in daily routines
C) get others to feel sorry for one's failures
D) draw attention to oneself

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Goffman, response cries such as "oops" or "ah" serve to show others that one is still competent in daily routines, even if they make a mistake or experience a minor accident. These response cries signal to others that the person is aware of the error and is taking steps to correct it, rather than being completely helpless or unaware. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

The Purpose of Response Cries, According to Erving Goffman, Is