So, this will be my first ever SOC250 blog post, basically I will be voicing my opinion of week 5’s topic, ‘Presentation of the Self’, referring to Goffman’s reading ‘The Nature of Deference and Demeanor’. As I am writing this now, I wonder how on earth I am going to discuss a 49 page article in 285 words when I am up to 79 words already! Anyway here it goes.
In my interpretation of the reading and my own understanding of deference and demeanor, I agree with Goffman in that symbolic interaction is generated in rituals of both deference and demeanor, however a clear distinction between the two exist. While deference refers to the rules and expressions which govern how we as a society interact (for example, compliments and apologies), demeanor is the way an individual presents themselves (for example how they are dressed or how they present themselves). Goffman also discuss’ how people change in certain social settings, for example if we are about to go into a job interview, we make ourselves look presentable and we act in our most polite manner. Contrastingly, if we were to be at a club drinking, we probably wouldn’t adopt this same approach. One could question if we are being true to ourselves if we have to change our behaviour in certain social contexts?
I read an interesting article by Tim Hallet, where he discuss’ similar issues but bases his argument on an educational institution example. The jist of Hallet’s article is about the power relationship between the principle-Mrs Knox and the assistant principle – Mr Carrol. Hallett believes that in order for Mrs Knox to obtain deference, she must demonstrate demeanor (which she currently lacks because of her ‘strict rule oriented approach).
Goffman, E 1967, ‘The nature of deference and demeanor’, in Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behaviour, Pantheon Books, New York, pp47-96.
Hallett, T, ‘Between Deference and Distinction: Interaction Ritual through Symbolic Power in an Educational Institution’, Indiana University.
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