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 selfconcept 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


Our appearance


The place where the action unfolds. This is where
the curtain goes up.
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