Microsociological Perspective

Social Interaction in Everyday Life

Symbolic Interaction

Sociologist examine how we use symbols in our everyday interactions

They examine how those symbols affect our behavior

For example: Stereotypes Personal Space Touching Eye contact

Stereotypes

First impressions “set the tone” for interaction

Despite your best intentions, your assumptions about certain characteristics shape your first impressions (IAT test)

They affect how you act toward that person and how that person acts toward you

Personal Space

Personal Space

Intimate Distance – about 18 inches from our bodies inward

Personal Distance – 18 inches to 4 feet

Social Distance – 4 to 12 feet

Public Distance – Beyond 12 feet

Touching

Frequency of touching differs from culture to culture

The meaning of touching differs

Higher-status individuals do more touching

Eye Contact

What does direct lingering eye contact suggest?

Typically we use fleeting eye contact

Eye Contact

Dramaturgy: The Presentation of Self Social life is examined and analyzed in terms of

drama or the stage

Our socialization consist of learning how to perform on that stage

We are in a constant stage of impression management An effort to control the impressions that others receive

The Stage

Front Stage Where performances are given

Back Stage A place where we rest from our performances A place to discuss and reflect on our

presentations A place to plan our future presentations

Our Many Roles

Role Performance The way in which

someone performs a role within the limits that role provides with a particular style or personality

We tend to become the roles we play

The roles become incorporated into our self-concept and can become impossible to escape

Conflict and Strain

Role Conflict A feeling we get when

torn between roles and the expectations of those conflicting roles

Role Strain Conflicts that one feels

within a role

Conflict and Strain

Sign – vehicles

Social setting The place where the action unfolds. This is where

the curtain goes up. Our appearance

How we look and the props we use Our manner

These are the attitudes we show as we play a role We use manner to communicate information

about our feelings and moods

Social Setting Examples

Our Appearance Examples