Essay 1 - Final Draft.odt 

          “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” (William Shakespeare). As the famous poet describes, the theater production analogy is one clever way to examine people's behavior. By observing individuals, we get a glimpse into the subtleties of social interaction. To find out what research has been done in this topic, one can turn to the works of renown sociologists such as Erving Goffman and Charles Cooley. Their theories can be applied to many daily scenarios including those such as work and home life.

          A large corporate office is just the setting to put observation into practice. The open workspace area I am part of allows for ample opportunities for daily interaction. Every few months, co-workers rotate spots, and comraderies soon form. Kari, who is relatively new to the company, can be seen striking up conversations with her new 'neighbor' Gary. When he arrives for his shift mid-morning, she is quick to acknowledge him and greet him and her disposition turns upbeat. At moments when they are particularly engaged in their chat, one can see how she swivels her chair towards him, and leans over slightly with her body in his direction. Other cues such as Kari casually flipping her hair, signify how comfortable she is in the situation, and the equality of the relationship. As for Gary, raised eyebrows and nodding in affirmation were his usual responses, and he was also at ease through this exchange. Sociologist Cooley's 'looking-glass self theory' could be applicable to this pair. The concept is based on a person's formed opinion about themselves, based on what they perceive others are thinking about them (Conley 2011: 115). Kari, who is new, might be wanting to put her best foot forward and seeking the approval of her co-workers.

          On a contrasting note, I compared an interaction of a female supervisor, Carletta, with a co-worker, Michelle. As a supervisor, Carletta naturally has a level of authority which is imposed through both verbal and non-verbal cues. She sits up-right, she commands her space, and she speaks in a straightforward manner. Erving Goffman's study of social status symbols is particularly significant here. One type of occupation symbol, he comments, “comes into play after the work relation has been established and serves to mark off levels of prestige and power within a formal organization” (Goffman 1951: 296). Carletta's leadership status allows her to delegate work to her subordinates; and to be specific in her demands as demonstrated by her hand gestures. Michelle on the other hand, took an active role in listening, nodding to signify understanding, and interjecting only to ask clarification on something. Her tone was lower, and her demeanor more passive; all signs pointing to the inequality of the relationship between them.

          The last setting involved in this observational exercise, was a family member's home. Jeannette , an older mother, and her teenage daughter Stephanie, reflected some patterns of interpersonal conflict during an argument. Goffman's dramaturgical theory, citing the life as a theater concept, where actors have roles and scripts could certainly add to this representation (Conley 2011: 131) . Jeanette 's role was at moments seen as that of the 'villain' while Stephanie sought to get her way as the 'victim'. As Jeanette reproached her daughter on a particular matter, her tone was loud and her demeanor impatient. She put her left hand on her left hip, and gestured frantically with her right hand. At one point she began tapping her foot restlessly. Stephanie on the other hand, argued back, and then crossed her arms. The inequality in this relationship was most evident when the Stephanie lowered her head and began to text on her cell-phone as a way of avoidance. Whereas Goffman cites on his theory the importance of “impression management” for things to go generally smoothly; situations often arise where people won't act as predictably.

          On the note of future study, taking account Ervin Goffman's writings about 'tie signs' and their 'role playing behavior' (Hamilton 2002: 7), this would be a good topic for further inquiry. Anything from hand gestures, to gazes, to physical touch, are said to constitute these 'tie signs'. Hand gestures seem to be a very effective form of communication among the groups mentioned on this essay. Focusing more on the particulars of it in both friendly and strained interactions, could decipher some clues helpful in topics such as symbolic interactionism.

Works Cited

Conley, Dalton. 2011. “You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction To Thinking Like A Sociologist.” 

              2nd Edition. New York, NY: Norton.

Hamilton, Peter and Kenneth Thompson. 2002. “The Uses Of Sociology (Sociology and Society)”.

              1st Edition. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers.

Goffman, Erving. 1951. “Symbols of Class Status.” The British Journal of Sociology. Vol. 2

               (No. 4). Retrieved February 20, 2012 (http://www.jstor.org/stable/588083).

Shakespeare, William. 1997. “As You Like It.” 2.7. Pp. 139-167. New York: Washington Square

               Press.