1. Symbolic Interactionism
Early interactionism: influence of G. H. Mead and the Chicago School
Herbert Blumer ( )
Interaction gives social objects meaning
Concept of “joint actions”
Method: empirical and inductive
Important role for individuals

2. Erving Goffman ( )

3. Goffman
Cf. Durkheim: interest in norms, social order, threat of breakdown
Look at violations to understand norms
Cf. Simmel: focus on interactions and everyday life
Studying the interaction order (microsociology, microanalysis)

4. Two Goffman Studies The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959)
Asylums (1961)
Deviant behavior results from context
Labeling theory

5. Key Aspects of Goffman’s Approach
“radical empiricism”
Actions and statuses as products of social interaction
Reality itself is socially constructed through interaction

6. Basic Ideas and Assumptions
Behavior is expressive/communicative as well as practical
Extension of concept of ritual to everyday interactions
Rituals as functionally necessary

7. Goffman’s Central Metaphor
Life as theater (“dramaturgical sociology”)
Why this metaphor?
High generality – encompasses all of social life
Need to define and maintain “the definition of the situation” (cf. actors on stage)
“Collective conscience” is maintained concretely through everyday interaction

8. Key Elements of Theater Metaphor
Roles
Scenes
Front and back regions (onstage and backstage)
Definition of the situation
Teams (roles are usually collective)
NOTE: It’s just a metaphor!

9. Impression Management
Defensive practices of performers (loyalty, discipline, circumspection)
Protective practices of audience
Tact regarding tact

10. Summary: Goffman’s Main Insights
Reality is constructed through interaction
Nature of social life: consensual and cooperative (b/c interaction is risky!)
Nature of self: active, strategic, but no authentic self beneath performances (“peg” metaphor)

11. In-Class Writing
What is Becker’s main argument in the essay “Becoming a Marihuana User”?
How does it relate to Goffman’s ideas?

12. Discussion of Becker Main argument Three stages in process
Applications to other substances used for pleasure?

13. Goffman’s Theater Metaphor
Roles
Role distance
Role conflicts
Potential for alienation
Scripts
Costumes
Stages/sets

14. Group Exercise List 5 different roles you play in your everyday life.
Pick one role, and describe scripts, costumes, stages/sets associated with it.
Conflicts within the role? Conflicts between any of the 5 roles?
Your relationship to the role – how much role distance?
Think of a recent “incident” – what happened?

15. Nature of Self
Do you agree with Goffman’s assertion that there is no true self beneath our various roles and performances?
Can you think of any social situations in which your true self is operating, without any role or performance overlaying it?