Chapter 4

Social Interaction

Social Interaction

• The process by which people act and react in relation to others

• Social construction of reality – the process by which people shape reality through social interaction

• Thomas theorem – Situations defined as real become real in their consequences

Status

• Status – a social position• Status set – consists of all the statuses a person

holds at a given time• Ascribed status – a social position given to a

person by society• Achieved status – a social position that someone

assumes voluntarily and that reflects ability and effort

• Master status – a status that has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person’s entire life

Roles

• Behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status

• Role conflict – conflict among roles corresponding to two or more different statuses

• Role strain – incompatibility among roles corresponding to a single status

Role Exit

• The process by which people disengage from important social roles

• Helen Ebaugh’s 4 stage model

1. Doubt

2. Search for alternatives

3. Action or departure

4. Creation of new identity

Erving Goffman

• Dramaturgical analysis – social interaction in terms of theatrical performance

• Presentation of self – the effort of an individual to create specific impressions in the minds of others

Communication in Everyday Interactions

• Language

• Nonverbal Behavior

Types of Interactions

• Exchange – the process in which people transfer goods, services, and other items with one another.– Norms of reciprocity – a strong norm that says

that if you do something for a person, then that person must do something of approximately equal social value in return.

Types of Interaction

• Cooperation – the process in which people work together to achieve shared goals

• Competition – the process in which two or more parties attempt to obtain the same goal.

• Conflict – the process in which people attempt to physically or socially vanquish one another

• Coercion – the process by which people compel other people to do something against their will.