Dramaturgy and Social Interaction Essay

Josiah Platt Soc 210 1. What is Goffman’s principle of â€Å"impression management†, in your own words? Why is it often called the dramaturgy model of social interaction? (Look at chapter 5! ) Goffman’s principle of impression management means that we always try to give that good impression of ourselves, even if that means lying to do it. It’s often called the dramaturgy model of social interaction because people put a facade on depending on the person they’re with. For example, my brother was born here, while most of my family was born in New York. When we go up to New York, my little brother Zach has the biggest New York accent you have ever heard in your life. 2. How is technology changing social interaction? Has it changed the interactions you have with family and friends, how? Are there more distractions that interfere with your social interactions? (Make sure to reread and incorporate concepts from pages 120-124 â€Å"interaction in cyberspace† in your answer. ) I believe that technology has changed face to face interaction. It’s a lot different talking to someone face to face than it is to message them on Facebook. My Dad always talks to me about this. He doesn’t have a Facebook; in fact he doesn’t know how to turn on a computer. A lot of my friends have smartphones, and when there is an awkward moment in public, it’s straight to twitter, Facebook, texting, or some new app. I don’t have a smartphone or texting, so I either endure the pain of the awkward moment, or I act like I’m texting someone. Online social interaction does do some good though. I have a brother in law who is a loner, but I can talk to him on Facebook. There are more distractions that interfere with social interactions in my life, though they usually don’t come from me. As I said earlier, I may pretend that I have the ability to shut the world out via my phone, but I really can’t. 3. Do you see these new forms of social interaction as positive, negative, or both? Explain. As I said in the second question, I see these new forms of social interaction as both positive and negative. There are moments when I wish I could get on my smartphone that I don’t have and I could play words with friends or jump on twitter when an awkward moment arises, but I usually try to live through that gap. Some people live on their phones though. I have a friend who is always doing something new on his phone. Instead of asking someone where to eat, he can shake his phone and it’ll act as a slot machine and magically come up with a place. Interaction in cyberspace has eliminated a lot of social interaction, which can’t be good. There is a flipside, though. I really do have a brother in law who as our society would say, is socially awkward. He often would come over and not say a word. There are times that I go babysit for their family and it’s just us in the living room and you could hear a pin drop. He added me to a fantasy football league a couple of years ago and now we have something in common to talk about. We still haven’t found much common ground but when all else fails, we just talk about sports. 4. How do you respond to the argument that these new technologies produce more alienated people, instead of bringing them together? By alienated, I mean withdrawn or emotionally disconnected from normal society) I think that the argument of more alienated people from society is right. Even talking on the phone is becoming old and outdated. I can’t text, so I’m always talking to my friends on the phone. I have friends who tell me that I’m the only person they talk on the phone with. Everyone else gets a text. I actually had a conversation with one of my best friends for 39 minutes two weeks ago. I was so proud of myself. There is a fear of awkward moments in our society and we will do whatever it takes to avoid that moment. Right now that means eliminating social interaction with strangers. 5. Look at the social networking site (i. e. MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn) of a friend, co-worker, or your own, and apply Goffman’s dramaturgy/impression management theory of social interaction. After writing down an overall review of elements that you see on the page (even the use of cultural elements such as a subculture, dress, language use, norms), discuss the impression this person giving off. How might their/your friends interpret that impression? How might a potential employer interpret that impression? This profile uses the new timeline layout. There is a picture of an MLS soccer game from a good seat as his banner picture. For his little profile picture, there’s a picture of him with two of his friends at an N. C. State football game. He has his job listed underneath his profile picture along with his birthdate, where he was born, and the college he goes to. He is closing in on 1000 friends, so I’d say he’s a popular guy. A lot of his posts are about sports. He stays out late I can see since he checked in on four square at waffle house at 3:00 AM. He posts a lot of song lyrics on his page as well. He doesn’t curse on Facebook, which is good if an employee looked at his page. He usually dresses in a t-shirt and jeans. He’s giving off this impression that he’s always in a good mood and watches a lot of sports. I think an employer wouldn’t mind at all if he looked at his profile (unless he’s a duke fan).