Dramaturgy

- A sociological perspective commonly used in micro-sociological accounts of social interaction in

everyday life.

- The term was first adapted into sociology from the theatre by Erving Goffman, who developed most of
the related terminology and ideas in his 1956 book, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.

Dramaturgical analysis

- The study of social interaction in terms of theatrical performance.

- Imagining ourselves as directors observing what goes on in the theatre of everyday life.
- The idea that people's day-to-day lives can be understood as resembling performers in action on a
theater stage. As we present ourselves in various situations, we are much like actors putting on
performances for their audience.
- Explain why we do what we do by means of comparing us to actors in a theatrical presentation.

A. Roles

- Roles in dramaturgical analysis can be defined and interpreted as the set behaviors and actions actors
are subject to carry out for whatever situation or setting we are placed in.

- Roles are like our statuses, for example people can be: mothers, fathers, sons, sisters, brothers, nieces,
nephews, students, workers, etc.

Example: The fact that a person maybe a doctor at a hospital, while they are working or “acting” for
their role as a doctor they do not always show that they are the nephew/niece of their aunt

B. Directors and Producers

- Every good production has a good Producer and Director behind the scenes telling the actors what to
do and how to do it

- Directors and producers” hold an overall executive power in making sure we as actors are fulfilling our
so-called “requirements” effectively.

- They give us tasks and purpose with set goals and ideals that we need to carry out regularly as faithful
people

Examples: In the workplace, directors and producers are the people who run the company. They are the
entrepreneurs, presidents, vice presidents, chief executive officers, who carry out the tasks of getting all
the employees (Actors)
C. Main Characters

- Main characters in productions are all of the people (mainly us - from an insider’s point of view) that
are apparent all the time and bring something to the table for the “show.”

- They have the lead role and their job is to effectively carry whatever comes along

- People pay attention and watch and listen to what you say because the information you are giving is
very valuable to them no matter what the situation is.

Example: n business, let’s say you are a sales person - to all the customers, you are the main character.

D. Back-Up Characters

- Back-up characters are the filler in a theatrical presentation.

- They act as individuals who are just “there.” No real input is given from them, at least not very often.

- Back-up characters are important though, no matter how minor their role is

- They provide the necessary filler and potential for more interaction to take place in a set, at least more
than what would be present if only main characters were in the production all of the time.

Examples: A teacher is the main character for the class, speaking and discussing the criteria the whole
time, the students can be regarded as the back-up characters, just filling in spaces in the classroom.

E. Costume

- Costumes are very necessary when regarding life’s interactions to a theatrical presentation. What is a
character without a costume? – Nonexistent

- The way we dress and what we wear are regarded as costumes when using a dramaturgical analysis
because our attire is highly influenced on different situation

- Costumes set the actors aside from one another.

- Costumes are what are most apparent and obvious for first impressions and can show much of the
internal thought processes of individuals regardless of the situation.

Example: Students at a university may regularly go to class dressed in sweatpants and a sweatshirt for
comfort. This particular outfit or “costume” when analyzed would most likely show that the student
does not really care about their appearance while attending class rather that they actually appeared in
class for learning only.
F. Props

- Props, or “Theatrical Property”, are a big part of a production; they are mainly used as tools for actors
to use and abuse while playing their roles

- Props can be large or small, but no matter what they are key points in keeping the “story” alive.

- All these little things make-up a very important part of a production and life itself.

Example: a play in a classroom or school and use dramaturgical analysis we would see the props as:
desks, chairs, paper, pencils, pens, books, notebooks, computers, televisions, whiteboards, and
chalkboards.

G. Scripts

- Scripts are documented verbal replies and statements that actors say while acting.

- people that are engaging in conversation have a pretty good idea of what they want to say and how
they want the verbal exchange to go overall.

- A script is to just understand it is what we are saying when we play the part of the actor in a situation
that we choose.

- In other words we say what we are supposed to say in order to achieve the desired goal of the
conversation and/or role.

Example: when: the person working the drive-through at McDonalds says “Hi! Welcome to McDonalds.
May I take your order?” or when a receptionist at any company in the world follows this format “Thank
you for calling (company name), this is (their name), how may I direct your call?”

H. Front Stage

- Front stages are defined in dramaturgical analysis as the place where we, as actors, play our part.

- is to put our acting skills to the test and trying to show our audience how well we can present
ourselves.

- Our audience wants to see us mess up and show how we really are, but a good actor will always take
on their character to the best of their ability.

* Face-saving behavior - when we ignore flaws and mistakes other “actors” make, when we
make excuses for mistakes we have made, and when we make excuses for other people’s mistakes.

Example: In school and in class, as actors we sit and pay attention, listen, and ask questions on the
material – this is our front stage behavior
I. Back stage

- Back stages are any of the other places besides the place where we act that our audience does not see
us.

- They cast off elements of their appearance required for a front stage performance. They may even
change how they speak and comport their bodies or carry themselves.

- Actors are often more relaxed and comfortable when back stage; they let their guard down and behave
in ways that reflect their uninhibited or "true" selves.

Example: Back stage for school, like when we go home, we sit or lay on the couch, turn on the television
and think no more about our school studies.

Source: http://jrdougan.tripod.com/

Impression management

- A conscious or subconscious process in which people attempt to influence the perceptions of

other people about a person, object or event by regulating and controlling information in social
interaction.

- Usually used synonymously with self-presentation, in which a person tries to influence the
perception of their image.

- How individuals wish to present themselves, but in a way that satisfies their needs and goals.

Self Presentation

- Conveying information about oneself – or an image of oneself – to others

- Self-presentation is expressive. Individuals construct an image of themselves to claim personal

identity, and present themselves in a manner that is consistent with that image.

- can be either defensive or assertive strategies (also described as protective versus

acquisitive).] Whereas defensive strategies include behaviours like avoidance of threatening
situations or means of self-handicapping, assertive strategies refer to more active behaviour
like the verbal idealisation of the self, the use of status symbols or similar practices.

- These strategies play important roles in one's maintenance of self-esteem. One's self-esteem
is affected by their evaluation of their own performance and their perception of how others
react to their performance. As a result, people actively portray impressions that will elicit self-
esteem enhancing reactions from others
There are two types and motivations of self-presentation:

 presentation meant to match one's own self-image

 presentation meant to match audience expectations and preferences.

Examples:

Boasting –in self-presentation individuals are challenged to balance boasting against

discrediting themselves via excessive self-promotion or being caught and being proven wrong.
Individuals often have limited ability to perceive how their efforts impact their acceptance and
likeability by others

Flattery – flattery or praise to increase social attractiveness

Intimidation – aggressively showing anger to get others to hear and obey one's demands.

Self-handicapping - cognitive strategy by which people avoid effort in the hopes of keeping
potential failure from hurting self-esteem.

Assertiveness – Is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. a
form of behavior characterized by a confident declaration or affirmation of a statement without
need of proof. A skill that can be learned and a mode of communication.