STRC 2111 Lecture 4: Lecture 4
2 May 2018
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• Politeness Theory —> Face. Presenting a particular version of yourself.
◦ Socio-Cultural Tradition: Social construction of reality
▪ Identity is constructed in interaction, and requires some coordination
▪ Goffman’s theory: Dramaturgy
▪ Interactions are a drama, we play roles
▪ Practice backstage for frontstage: The roles that we play, we have to
prepare for them
▪ Politeness isn't about being polite, but following socially accepted scripts and
meeting role expectations
◦ Three Assumptions
▪ We want to maintain face: the successful presentation of an identity/role
▪ More sender focused theory
▪ Internal Conflict
▪ Positive Face: Social-self, meeting role expectations, the desire
to be liked and accepted
▪ Negative (individual): Autonomous-self, the desire to be an
individual person, challenge role constraints
▪ Individuals are rational and goal oriented
▪ Fake it till you make it
▪ We make choices to achieve relational and task-oriented goals
▪ Ex: Interview, date, work, friend
▪ Face-work is most effective in coordination
▪ Meet personal and social goals together
▪ Face-Threatening Acts (FTAs) inevitable
▪ Don’t follow or don’t know the script
▪ Situational expectations
▪ Failure at sports: Learn the script of how to play the
sport
▪ Don’t meet role expectations
▪ Ex: Criticism at work
▪ Interruptions in performance
• Social Exchange Theory
◦ An economic theory
◦ Socio-Psychological tradition: Relationships are an exchange
◦ Three assumptions
▪ Relationships are a function of comparing rewards and costs
▪ Ex: Romantic relationships: What do we think about when we think
about ending relationships?
▪ Minimax Principle: Want to increase rewards while reducing costs
▪ Humans are selfish but each relationship is an investment
▪ We calculate value of relationships
▪ Rewards (Pros): Enjoyable, achieve goals, companionship, sharing
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Document Summary
Socio-cultural tradition: social construction of reality: politeness theory > face. Identity is constructed in interaction, and requires some coordination. Practice backstage for frontstage: the roles that we play, we have to prepare for them. Politeness isn"t about being polite, but following socially accepted scripts and meeting role expectations. We want to maintain face: the successful presentation of an identity/role. Positive face: social-self, meeting role expectations, the desire to be liked and accepted. Negative (individual): autonomous-self, the desire to be an individual person, challenge role constraints. We make choices to achieve relational and task-oriented goals. Failure at sports: learn the script of how to play the sport. Relationships are a function of comparing rewards and costs. Minimax principle: want to increase rewards while reducing costs. Humans are selfish but each relationship is an investment. Rewards (pros): enjoyable, achieve goals, companionship, sharing money. Costs (cons): lose independence, plans on hold, lack of affection, loss of money.
