1. Social Interaction Chapter 5

2. Learning Objectives  Understand why it is important to understand social interaction.  Know what the major types of social interaction are.  Understand the concept of role.  Explain the role norms play in social interaction.  Describe the main features of statuses.  Understand how the context of a situation influences social interaction.  Know the difference between role strain and role conflict.  Describe the role collective behavior plays in social interaction.

3. Understanding Social Interaction ContextNormsEthnomethodologyDramaturgy

4. Contexts Three Elements  Physical setting or place  Social environment  Activities surrounding the interaction Preceding, during, and following Preceding, during, and following

5. Norms  Specific rules of behavior, agreed upon and shared, that prescribe limits of acceptable behavior. Contribute to predictability of social behavior Contribute to predictability of social behavior The behaviors we most commonly expect to encounter The behaviors we most commonly expect to encounter

6. Ethnomethodology  The study of the sets of rules or guidelines that individuals use to initiate behavior, respond to behavior, and modify behavior in social settings Raises awareness of subtle devices used to create realities to which we respond Raises awareness of subtle devices used to create realities to which we respond

7. Dramaturgy  People play roles to create an impression Role performance is judged by others who are alert to any slips that might reveal the actor’s true character Role performance is judged by others who are alert to any slips that might reveal the actor’s true character  Perceive interactions as governed by planned behavior Enables an individual to present a particular image to others Enables an individual to present a particular image to others

8. Types of Social Interaction Cooperation CooperationExchange Nonverbal Behavior ConflictCompetition

9. Interaction without Words via Gestures and Movements Waving Hand Yawn

10. Exchange  Doing something for each other with the express purpose of receiving a reward or return is an exchange interaction May be May be MaterialMaterial Emotional or psychologicalEmotional or psychological

11. Cooperation  People acting together to promote common interests or achieve shared goals. Athletic teams Athletic teams Family members Family members Student study groups Student study groups

12. Conflict  Conflict arises between groups when: Values are incompatible Values are incompatible Rewards or resources are limited Rewards or resources are limited  Conflict generally involves attempting to gain or use power

13. Competition  A form of conflict enacted within agreed- upon rules Political conflict / electionsPolitical conflict / elections Domestic conflictDomestic conflict

14. Elements of Social Interaction StatusesRoles Role Sets Role Conflict

15. Statuses  Socially defined positions that people occupy Simultaneous, multiple statuses are common. Simultaneous, multiple statuses are common. SonSon StudentStudent EmployeeEmployee SpouseSpouse May be ascribed or achieved May be ascribed or achieved

16. Master Status  Dominant over other components of status

17. Ascribed Status  Conferred upon us through birth or other significant factors beyond our control and without intent Birth orderBirth order SexSex Racial identityRacial identity

18. Achieved Status  Result of the individual’s choices or actions Student Student Professor Professor Garage mechanic Garage mechanic Parent Parent Spouse Spouse

19. Roles  Bring statuses to life through culturally defined rules for proper status performance and behavior Are associated with every statusAre associated with every status May be multiple roles per statusMay be multiple roles per status

20. Role Sets  Collective of all the roles attached to a single status Performance of specific role dependent on: Performance of specific role dependent on: Status of other personStatus of other person Social setting and circumstancesSocial setting and circumstances Rights and obligations associated with statusesRights and obligations associated with statuses

21. Role Strain  Single role involves Conflicting demands Conflicting demands Conflicting expectations Conflicting expectations Performer of role experiences strain in balancing demands and expectationsPerformer of role experiences strain in balancing demands and expectations Ex.: A teacher might feel overwhelmed by the demands of the school board and the needs of his students.Ex.: A teacher might feel overwhelmed by the demands of the school board and the needs of his students.

22. Role Conflict  One individual occupies multiple statuses simultaneously Unable to enact the roles of one status without violating those of another status Unable to enact the roles of one status without violating those of another status Ex.: A mother who works as an office manager, volunteers at the SPCA, participates in church activities, and cares for her elderly father. Ex.: A mother who works as an office manager, volunteers at the SPCA, participates in church activities, and cares for her elderly father.

23. Role Playing  Profound influence on Attitudes Attitudes Behaviors Behaviors  Transformative potential Actions Actions Perception of self Perception of self

24. Collective Behavior  Spontaneous social actions Response to Response to Unstructured situationsUnstructured situations Ambiguous situationsAmbiguous situations Potential of powerful social response and exchange Potential of powerful social response and exchange

25. Collective Behavior at Play in Society  Fads – social changes Short life, abrupt rise and fall Short life, abrupt rise and fall  Fashions – standards of dress or manners Longer life, slower evolution Longer life, slower evolution  Rumors – ambiguity in truth and meaning Face-to-face or media sharing Face-to-face or media sharing

26.  Public Opinion – shared belief about common problem, interest, or activity Strongly held and possibly divisive Strongly held and possibly divisive Influenced by Influenced by Propaganda / advertisingPropaganda / advertising Leaders and leadershipLeaders and leadership  Mass Hysteria and Panic Hysteria – overwhelming emotion and activity Hysteria – overwhelming emotion and activity Panic – uncoordinated group flight from perceived danger Panic – uncoordinated group flight from perceived danger