Question 1

Erving Goffman and other theorists who focus on social interaction often use the analogy of:

Accepted Answer

Erving Goffman and other theorists often use the analogy of theater and drama to describe social interaction. They view social life as a performance, where people are actors on a stage, playing different roles and adhering to certain social norms and expectations. This analogy helps to explain how individuals present themselves in different situations, and how they may change their behavior depending on the context in which they find themselves.

Question 2

In studying social interaction, when an "opening" occurs:

Accepted Answer

When an "opening" occurs in social interaction, civil inattention is discarded. This means that the norm of politely ignoring others in public spaces is temporarily set aside to allow for direct interaction.

Question 3

If your instructor were to ask if you cleaned up your room before leaving the house, she would be acting outside of her:

Accepted Answer

The instructor's role is to teach and evaluate the student's academic performance, not to inquire about their personal life or cleanliness habits. Asking about cleaning the room falls outside of her role as an instructor.

Question 4

Nonverbal communication is:

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication involves the use of body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey information. It is important in all types of communication, including interpersonal interactions, public speaking, and even written communication. It helps us to understand the message being conveyed and can provide additional information that may not be communicated through words alone. It is important to pay attention to nonverbal cues in order to fully understand the intent behind a message.

Question 5

Paul Ekman and colleagues devised a method for studying nonverbal communication called:

Accepted Answer

The method devised by Paul Ekman and his colleagues for studying nonverbal communication is called the facial action coding system. This method involves the identification and coding of specific facial muscle movements, or "action units," in order to better understand the emotions being expressed by an individual's nonverbal behavior.

Question 6

Audience segregation allows people to:

Accepted Answer

Audience segregation allows individuals to reconcile their role in one part of life with their role in another part of their social world. This means that people can behave differently depending on the social context they are in without experiencing cognitive dissonance.

Question 7

What is one reason sociologists are concerned with civil inattention, which appears to be a rather unconscious behavior?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists are concerned with civil inattention because it allows for orderly social interactions, as individuals imply to each other that they are not suspicious or hostile towards each other's behavior.

Question 8

Charles Darwin believed that basic human emotional expressions:

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin's book "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" argued that basic human emotional expressions are innate and the same in all human beings. He believed that certain emotional expressions, like smiling when happy, were universal and not learned behaviors.

Question 9

Two people walking on a city sidewalk quickly glance at each other and then look away as they pass. Erving Goffman called this type of interaction:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of civil inattention, which is when people in public places practice polite and respectful behavior by acknowledging each other's presence without intruding on each other's personal space. The quick glance and look away is a way of acknowledging the other person's presence without being intrusive or demanding of their attention.

Question 10

Why do people use impression management?

Accepted Answer

People use impression management to control the way others see them, often to appear desirable, competent, or likable. This sensitivity to others' perceptions can drive the desire for impression management.

Question 11

An "opening" is necessary for what Erving Goffman calls a(n):

Accepted Answer

An "opening" is necessary for what Erving Goffman calls an "encounter," which refers to a situation where two or more individuals are mutually present and engage in a focused interaction.

Question 12

The purpose of response cries, according to Erving Goffman, is to:

Accepted Answer

According to Goffman, response cries such as "oops" or "ah" serve to show others that one is still competent in daily routines, even if they make a mistake or experience a minor accident. These response cries signal to others that the person is aware of the error and is taking steps to correct it, rather than being completely helpless or unaware. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 13

Erving Goffman refers to an instance of focused interaction as:

Accepted Answer

Erving Goffman refers to an instance of focused interaction as an encounter, which refers to a situation where two or more individuals actively communicate with each other, paying attention to each other's words and actions. This type of interaction is distinct from unfocused interaction, where individuals are present in the same setting but not necessarily engaging with each other, and civil inattention, where individuals acknowledge each other's presence but do not engage in conversation or other forms of communication. Response cry refers to an involuntary exclamation or vocalization in response to a sudden stimuli.

Question 14

A student drops a spoon on the floor as she carries her dish to the kitchen. As the spoon clatters loudly on the tile floor, she exclaims, "Ooooooh, sorry!" This is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

The student's exclamation of "Ooooooh, sorry!" is a response cry, which is an involuntary vocalization made in response to a sudden, unexpected, or painful stimulus. In this case, the stimulus was the loud clatter of the spoon hitting the floor.

Question 15

James Henslin and Mae Biggs explored impression management using the situation of medical pelvic exams. Each part of the pelvic exam was divided into distinct:

Accepted Answer

James Henslin and Mae Biggs, in their exploration of impression management during medical pelvic exams, divided each part of the exam into distinct "scenes." This concept aligns with the dramaturgical approach in sociology, where social interactions are analyzed as if they were part of a theatrical performance, with specific scenes setting the context for these interactions.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Facial expressions for basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are universal among humans, including infants. These expressions are innate and not learned, indicating a biological basis for emotional expression that is recognized across different cultures. Studies, including those by psychologist Paul Ekman, have shown that these basic facial expressions are understood across diverse cultures, suggesting they are a fundamental part of human biology and not dependent on cultural learning.

Question 17

In a total institution, as detailed in Erving Goffman's ethnographic account of a mental hospital in Washington, D.C., humans have very limited:

Accepted Answer

In a total institution, individuals are stripped of their previous social roles and identities and are subjected to a highly regimented and controlled environment. This includes limited privacy as individuals are constantly monitored, evaluated, and controlled by staff members. As a result, they must adapt to the fact that their private spheres are limited.

Question 18

Socially defined expectations of a person in a given social position are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Socially defined expectations of a person in a given social position are referred to as roles. Statuses refer to a person's social position or rank in a group or society. Markers and agency are not relevant to this concept.

Question 19

As a form of social interaction, the exchange of information and meaning through facial expressions, gestures, and movements of the body is called:

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication refers to the ways in which people convey information and meaning without using words. It includes facial expressions, gestures, and body language, and is a vital part of social interaction. Nonverbal cues can have a significant impact on how people perceive and interpret messages, and are often used to convey emotions, attitudes, and social status.

Question 20

A status message allows people who are participating in unfocused interaction to:

Accepted Answer

A status message on social media or instant messaging allows individuals to have more control over how they are perceived by others. It is a tool for self-presentation and allows individuals to craft a specific image or message they want to convey to their audience.

Quiz 5: Social Interaction and Everyday Life in the Age of the Internet