PSYC 110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Nonverbal Communication, Impression Management, Erving Goffman
29 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Roles involve not just actions, but also expressions of feeling and emotion. **What are
some of the behaviors (roles) associated with being a “student” (status)? Ex. The
Classroom Statuses and Roles shape our interactions C. Status & Role in Interaction:
Goffman Goffman People in their everyday interactions are like actors performing on a
stage. Social interaction = theatrical performance Status = Character in a play Role =
Script: the dialogue and action of the character Our “performance” includes: •The way we
dress (costume) •The objects we carry (props) •Our tone of voice and gestures (manner)
•Performances vary according to where we are (context/set) Ex. College Student Ex.
Investment Banker Ex. Doctor “Presentation of Self” = each individual’s performance.
Individuals can influence the performance As we present ourselves in everyday situations,
we reveal information to others We try to create specific impressions about ourselves.
Also called “impression management” Has several distinct elements. Defining the situation
(set) a certain way Presenting a certain status Managing how we play our role Working
Consensus – overall agreement on definition of the situation 1. “Definition of the Situation”
This is like the Stage/Set We know something about the play simply by seeing the set or
setting Ex. This classroom We “define” interactions with other people based on information
we initially perceive about the SETTING. Physical surroundings Props We also
“define” the situation based on people’s STATUSES. When we interact, we are constantly
searching for cues to their statuses! Appearance; Dress Manner Behavior; words E.g.,
Looking for romance at a campus party What is the setting? Props? Costumes? 2.
“Presentation of Self” Here is where the play begins: The action or INTERACTION begins!
We play the ROLE connected to our STATUS (or the status we would like to have) The
techniques that people use to get others to see them in a certain light. How we give
information to others that we interact with – express ourselves Expressiveness of the
individual Expressions given = verbal communication Expression given off = non-verbal
communication – gestures; facial expression E.g., Looking for romance at a party
Verbal communication? Non-verbal communication? 3. Managing the Situation Here,
individuals can “manage” aspects of the performance in order to get people to see them a
certain way. Going beyond the mere script (ROLE)! Individual who is presenting self
can manage the situation to some extent To control conduct of others, esp. their treatment
of you [Symbol] Must get others to DEFINE the SITUATION the way you do. Can do this
by managing your Expressions E.g., Romance at the party. If you’re “interested” how
can you manage the situation? If you’re “NOT interested” how can you manage the
situation? 4. Working Consensus For interactions to be successful – people must agree
about the definition of the situation! Must agree on STATUSES and ROLES for particular
CONTEXT. “WORKING CONSENSUS”: Together the participants contribute to a single
over-all definition of the situation, which involves: Not so much real agreement as to what
exists But rather real agreement as to whose “definition” will be honored in that situation.
SUMMARY of GOFFMAN Interaction is like a play! We can present ourselves in a
certain way, manage impressions of ourselves, and define situations: BECAUSE of our
SHARED UNDERSTANDING of STATUSES
Document Summary
Classroom statuses and roles shape our interactions c. status & role in interaction: Goffman goffman people in their everyday interactions are like actors performing on a stage. Social interaction = theatrical performance status = character in a play role = Script: the dialogue and action of the character our performance includes: the way we dress (costume) the objects we carry (props) our tone of voice and gestures (manner: performances vary according to where we are (context/set) Doctor presentation of self = each individual"s performance. Individuals can influence the performance as we present ourselves in everyday situations, we reveal information to others we try to create specific impressions about ourselves. Also called impression management has several distinct elements. Defining the situation (set) a certain way presenting a certain status managing how we play our role working. Consensus overall agreement on definition of the situation 1.
