Microsociology concentrates on the study of how society reacts
in different situations or interactions.
We all tend to adjust to our environment in any scenario that we are put
in. We behave, act, and feel a certain way based on what we think is right. For
an example, when entering a library, everyone tends to be quiet because a
library is known for being a place for studying, reading etc. so the quietness
will let others concentrate and it’s a way to respect others. This is similar to
what Goffman presents in the dramaturgical analysis, “the sociological view that
explores social interactions as an improvisational theater in which impression
management is the main performance, we must manage our impressions of ourselves
to others.” This was something that was mention to us in a handout in class.
There are different parts that are
described that make up this analysis. First the front stage/backstage behavior
which entails that in society we are all actors and have an audience. We act a
certain way around other people to keep an image of what kind of person we are,
and we expect a certain reaction based on those actions. By taking this
structure on how society normally thinks and acts, there are different things
that can be done to observe and talk about the reaction people have when they
are put in situations they may question or have concerns about.
When we are placed in situations that are not normal or out of
our comfort zone we automatically react on that, whether we feel nervous, happy,
excited, etc. all of that is a reaction. An example of this was is a flash mob.
Flash mobs are done in a variety of different ways but all have the same
reaction of people when done in the right place and time. As a class we did a
flashmob in the inner circle of UIC. The inner circle is used as a food court
where homework or mingling with friends can be done. That is the norm for the
inner circle. It is a place where a lot of people tend to stay which is why we
chose this spot. We decided to go with a “call and response” experiment which
consisted of individuals in the class making bird calls to each other
sporadically. At first other students not involved in the flash mob didn’t
really notice and ignored the noise. Once the bird calls were getting louder
and more consisted there started to be more of a reaction. Students were
looking around trying to see where the call was coming from and some even began
to laugh with a confused look on their face. We did this to if by breaking a
social norm how others would behave or react, and we definitely accomplished
that goal. There were things the class could have done to get a better
reaction, but that’s part of the learning experience. During the flash mob
there were a couple of negative responses such as “Grow up! How old are you?!”
which showed that to others this behavior was unacceptable and immature for
people of our age.
in different situations or interactions.
We all tend to adjust to our environment in any scenario that we are put
in. We behave, act, and feel a certain way based on what we think is right. For
an example, when entering a library, everyone tends to be quiet because a
library is known for being a place for studying, reading etc. so the quietness
will let others concentrate and it’s a way to respect others. This is similar to
what Goffman presents in the dramaturgical analysis, “the sociological view that
explores social interactions as an improvisational theater in which impression
management is the main performance, we must manage our impressions of ourselves
to others.” This was something that was mention to us in a handout in class.
There are different parts that are
described that make up this analysis. First the front stage/backstage behavior
which entails that in society we are all actors and have an audience. We act a
certain way around other people to keep an image of what kind of person we are,
and we expect a certain reaction based on those actions. By taking this
structure on how society normally thinks and acts, there are different things
that can be done to observe and talk about the reaction people have when they
are put in situations they may question or have concerns about.
When we are placed in situations that are not normal or out of
our comfort zone we automatically react on that, whether we feel nervous, happy,
excited, etc. all of that is a reaction. An example of this was is a flash mob.
Flash mobs are done in a variety of different ways but all have the same
reaction of people when done in the right place and time. As a class we did a
flashmob in the inner circle of UIC. The inner circle is used as a food court
where homework or mingling with friends can be done. That is the norm for the
inner circle. It is a place where a lot of people tend to stay which is why we
chose this spot. We decided to go with a “call and response” experiment which
consisted of individuals in the class making bird calls to each other
sporadically. At first other students not involved in the flash mob didn’t
really notice and ignored the noise. Once the bird calls were getting louder
and more consisted there started to be more of a reaction. Students were
looking around trying to see where the call was coming from and some even began
to laugh with a confused look on their face. We did this to if by breaking a
social norm how others would behave or react, and we definitely accomplished
that goal. There were things the class could have done to get a better
reaction, but that’s part of the learning experience. During the flash mob
there were a couple of negative responses such as “Grow up! How old are you?!”
which showed that to others this behavior was unacceptable and immature for
people of our age.