Social Interaction In Everyday Life The process by which people act and react in relation to others Sociology 2112

Social Interaction The symbolic interaction paradigm Humans rely on social structure to make sense out of everyday situations. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Status A social position that a person holds Status set All the statuses held at one time Dance partner Boss Friend Harley club member Sports participant Businessman Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Type of Status Ascribed: Involuntary positions Achieved: Voluntary positions Often the two types work together. What we’re ascribed often helps us achieve other statuses. Master status: Has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

The behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status Role The behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status Role set A number of roles attached to a single status Example: status of mother Disciplinarian Sports authority Dietitian Dr. Mom Pretty mom Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role Conflict and Role Strain Involves two or more statuses Example: Conflict between role expectations of a police officer who catches her own son using drugs at home–mother and police officer Role strain Involves a single status Example: Manager who tries to balance concern for workers with task requirements–office manager Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Role Exit Role exit: Becoming an “ex” The process of becoming an “ex” Disengaging from social roles can be very traumatic without proper preparation. The process of becoming an “ex” Doubts form about ability to continue with a certain role. Examination of new roles leads to a turning point at which time one decides to pursue a new direction. Learning new expectations associated with new role. Past role might influence new self. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

The Social Construction of Reality The process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction. “Street smarts” The Thomas theorem Situations that are defined as real are real in their consequences Ethnomethodology The study of the way people make sense of their everyday surroundings Explores the process of making sense of social encounters Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Reality Building: Class and Culture How we act or what we see in our surroundings depends on our interests. Social background also affects what we see. People build reality from the surrounding culture. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Goffman’s Dramaturgical Analysis Examining social interaction in terms of theatrical performances Presentation of self or impression management Efforts to create specific impressions in the minds of others. Role performance includes Stage setting Use of props: costume, tone of voice, gesture Example: Going to the doctor and playing the expected patient role. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Nonverbal Communication Communication using body movements, gestures, and facial expressions rather than speech Words Voice Body language Facial expressions Deameanor Personal space Goffman and idealization: We try to convince others that what we do reflects ideal cultural standards rather than selfish motives. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Gender and Performances Gender is a central element in personal performances. Demeanor The way we act and carry ourselves Use of space Power plays a key role. Staring, smiling, touching Eye contact encourages interaction. Smiling: Trying to please or submission? Touching: Intimacy and caring Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Idealization We construct performances to idealize our intentions. Professionals typically idealize their motives for entering their chosen careers. We all use idealization to some degree. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Embarrassment and Tact Embarrassment: Discomfort following a spoiled performance. Goffman: Embarrassment is "losing face." Tact is helping someone "save face." An audience often overlooks flaws in a performance, allowing the actor to avoid embarrassment. Goffman: Although behavior is often spontaneous, it is more patterned than we think. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Emotions: The Social Construction of Feeling The biological side of emotions Ekman: Some emotional responses are “wired” into humans. The cultural side of emotions Ekman: Culture defines what triggers an emotion. Emotions on the job Hochschild: The typical company tries to regulate not only its employees’ behavior, but also their emotions. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Gender and Language Power and Value Female pronouns and ownership Language communicates not only surface reality, but also deeper levels of meaning. Power and Value Female pronouns and ownership Women often adopt the husband’s surname. Traditionally feminine terms are more likely to change to negative meanings than masculine terms. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Humor Humor is unconventional. It’s a violation of cultural norms. Humor is tied to a common culture and doesn’t translate easily. “Not getting it” means a person doesn’t understand a joke’s conventional and unconventional realities. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Humor Humor acts as a safety valve by expressing opinions on a sensitive topic. Humor and conflict “Put down” with jokes about race, sex, gender, and the disabled Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Civil inattention http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4A1mBLuJBY&feature=related Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.