Interaction Rituals Essay - 1,249 words

Interaction Rituals In the The Presentation of Self In Everyday Life, Goffman wants to show the reader how every person sets out to present himself or herself to the world around them, always trying to preserve the role they have selected for themselves, since those whom they meet not only try to decide what role it is you are playing, but also whether or not you are competent to play that role. More significantly, management of own impression during the communication process is a function of social setting. People perceive us based on how we present ourselves. They judge our character based on the first few words that roll off our tongue. What you say can and will be held against you; that is the essence of the definition of self-presentation. The purpose of self-presentation is to have people perceive you in a way that is favorable towards you. The manner in which you present yourself should favorably influence the impression of you as a person both in character and integrity.


Erving Goffman portrays peoples interactions as strategic encounters in which one person is attempting to sell a particular image established by himself or herself and, accordingly, a particular definition of the existing situation. The person refers to these activities as face-work. Beginning by taking the perspective of one of the interactants, and he or she interprets the impact of that persons performances on the others and on the situation in general. The person considers being in wrong face, out of face, or losing face through lack of tact, as well as diplomacy or social skill, the ways a person can at tempt to save face in order to maintain self-respect, and various ways in which the person may harm the face of others through faux pas such as gaffes or insults (209). These circumstances occur because of the existence of self-presentational rules. These rules, in turn, are determined by how situations are defined.


As self-presentation goals tend to initiate a relationship, relational goals tend to maintain or manipulate it. Relational goals shape day-to-day activities between friends, co-workers etc. In personal relationships the image that is desired depends on the type of relationship begin pursued. From the perspective of a male, in an intimate relationship I attempt to portray to the female my protected vulnerable side for the sake of being perceived as open. The way that I show this side of me varies; I employ several relational strategies such as openness and positivism. Sharing some of my most well kept secrets or simply telling a good story creates the intimacy and bond that allows us to communicate about our relationship on a level that is sought after in any close relationship. As an example consider a situation where I want to give my friend advice on a personal matter. A way of letting her know my intentions is for me to bring up a topic that leads into the discussion of my choice.


After opening the subject I ask her what she thought of the matter, after completely hearing her side of the story I then interject with my opinion. The reason I completely hear her side of the story is to give her a complete sense of comfort, which breaks down the communication barrier and makes it much simpler for her to open up and not flat out refuse my opinion. The way I handle this goal again relies heavily on the openness strategy, the more open my friend feels that I am with her, the more inclined she will become to open up to me. My primary goal is to have her accept my suggestion, whereas my seco ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: everyday life, relational, roommate, presentation, interaction

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