Erving Goffman

 

 

Erving Goffman studied the theory of Face. This theory consisted of two factors; negative face and a positive face. Firstly, the positive face means, it is connected with feeling like you are valued and appreciated whereas the negative face is the need to be independent and not rely on anyone.

Erving Goffman, was a sociologist who contributed mainly to explain society through the everyday interactions of people. Goffman did not depend on any scientific type of studies to find his data, however instead of going through the scientific route, he found his data by observing people and learning their overall behaviours to explain how society works, this is a method of study typical of an interpretivist.  The studies of Goffman is a great way for understanding the ideas of society and how people act in society, as it is based off the way individuals act, this can also be referred to as micro-sociology, as it is looking into individuals and observing them to gain a better understanding of society.   

What is Interactionism?

Interactionism, was a philosophy which Goffman also followed in his studies of understanding society. Interactionism is the view of society as a framework of people living in society that most consists of meaningful and valuable objects. These objects can be physical as well as symbolic. Interactionists all share the belief that Humans put a meaning on all things to get a better understanding of it.

What is dexis?

The definition of dexis is, the words and phrases that cannot be completely comprehended without the additional contextual language.

There are three parts of dexis in English: person dexis, spantial dexis, temporal dexis

Person dexis - I,you,me

Spatial dexis – There, here

Temporal dexis – Now, today, tomorrow