Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Goff - 'man makes the bed he is sleeping in’
This week I commented on Lauren's Blog. To find it follow the link!
http://lfwj753.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/weekly-research-all-worlds-stage.html
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Goffman's presentation of the self: In action
First blog up! Today’s topic is Goffman and the presentation of the self.
Goffman presents an interesting idea about obligations and expectations (Goffman 1967). We obviously have a role to play within the rules of conduct that occur. Goffman makes the interesting point that the substantive expressions and rules are embodied within our morality, law as well as ethics, whereas he refers to ceremonial rules as etiquette (Goffman 1967). Often people lack the knowledge about a role or etiquette, but I find it harder to justify when people do not know the basics of ethics within our society. If we act outside of the substantive rules and hence obligations then we can be ostracized or ‘lose face’. However, I think there is a difference with the ceremonial rules of etiquette because these rules can be more relative to each person.
An example of this in action on presentation of the self and roles that we play, I work in a café where the base for many micro interactions occurs. A family friend came in to buy a cake one day and requested something really unhealthy and bad (i.e. consequently yummy). When I responded with ‘Oh this one is not good for you at all’ – pointing to a delicious piece of vanilla slice – she exclaimed that I ‘Wasn’t meant to tell her that!’. Apparently I had crossed a boundary and exceeded her expectation of a role that I needed to play. I was just being honest but she was quite offended. We proceeded to have a conversation about social rules and the obligations and expectations of social conduct. It was not proper etiquette on my part to continue in the honest nature of the conversation and I lost face, as well as embarrassing her and she too lost face. Goffman’s theory wins out in this situation!
Reference: Goffman, E 1967, 'The nature of deference and demeanor', in Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behaviour, Pantheon Books, New York, pp47 - 96.
Goffman presents an interesting idea about obligations and expectations (Goffman 1967). We obviously have a role to play within the rules of conduct that occur. Goffman makes the interesting point that the substantive expressions and rules are embodied within our morality, law as well as ethics, whereas he refers to ceremonial rules as etiquette (Goffman 1967). Often people lack the knowledge about a role or etiquette, but I find it harder to justify when people do not know the basics of ethics within our society. If we act outside of the substantive rules and hence obligations then we can be ostracized or ‘lose face’. However, I think there is a difference with the ceremonial rules of etiquette because these rules can be more relative to each person.
An example of this in action on presentation of the self and roles that we play, I work in a café where the base for many micro interactions occurs. A family friend came in to buy a cake one day and requested something really unhealthy and bad (i.e. consequently yummy). When I responded with ‘Oh this one is not good for you at all’ – pointing to a delicious piece of vanilla slice – she exclaimed that I ‘Wasn’t meant to tell her that!’. Apparently I had crossed a boundary and exceeded her expectation of a role that I needed to play. I was just being honest but she was quite offended. We proceeded to have a conversation about social rules and the obligations and expectations of social conduct. It was not proper etiquette on my part to continue in the honest nature of the conversation and I lost face, as well as embarrassing her and she too lost face. Goffman’s theory wins out in this situation!
Reference: Goffman, E 1967, 'The nature of deference and demeanor', in Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behaviour, Pantheon Books, New York, pp47 - 96.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Hello everyday interactionists!
This is my blog. For SOC250: Everyday Interaction. My name is Stephanie and I love Sociology. Enjoy reading!
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