Which of the following premises characterize the dramaturgical school of interactionism?

A. Focuses on the ways that actors manipulate gestures to create an impression in a particular social scene.
B. Emphasizes on the process of impression management and not the purposes or goal toward which action is oriented.
C. Focuses on the goal orientation and particular structures which create different forms of interaction.
D. Emphasizes on the form of interaction itself rather than on the structures it creates, sustains, or changes.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

A, B, and D only

The dramaturgical school of interactionism, primarily associated with Erving Goffman, explores how individuals perform in social situations, akin to actors on a stage. Here’s a breakdown of how each premise fits into this framework:

• A. Focuses on the ways that actors manipulate gestures to create an impression in a particular social scene.
  This is a key aspect of dramaturgical theory. Goffman emphasized the importance of non-verbal cues and gestures in the process of creating specific impressions on others in a given social context.

• B. Emphasizes on the process of impression management and not the purposes or goal toward which action is oriented.
  This is also a central tenet of Goffman’s dramaturgical theory. He argued that individuals are constantly managing their impressions during interactions to influence how they are perceived, rather than focusing on the ultimate goals or outcomes of the action itself.

• C. Focuses on the goal orientation and particular structures which create different forms of interaction.
  This premise is not central to dramaturgical theory. Instead, the theory is more concerned with how individuals present themselves in various situations rather than the specific goals or structures that create different types of interactions.

• D. Emphasizes on the form of interaction itself rather than on the structures it creates, sustains, or changes.
  This statement accurately reflects Goffman’s perspective. He focuses more on the process of interaction and performance within social settings, rather than the broader structures that these interactions might reinforce or alter.

Thus, the correct answer is A, B, and D only because these premises align with Goffman’s dramaturgical perspective.

Information Booster:

• Impression management is a key component of the dramaturgical approach. It refers to the ways in which individuals present themselves in social situations to control the impression others form of them.
• Front stage and back stage are crucial concepts in Goffman’s dramaturgical theory. The front stage is where individuals perform and manage impressions, while the back stage is where they prepare and can relax their performances.
• Goffman’s work, especially his book "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life", laid the foundation for understanding social interactions as theatrical performances.
• The performer in Goffman’s model is anyone who is interacting in a social context, and they play various roles, much like an actor in a play.
• The idea that people "perform" in social settings has influenced sociology, psychology, and even marketing, highlighting the role of social roles in daily interactions.

Additional Information:

• A. Manipulation of gestures – The manipulation of non-verbal gestures is essential in creating a desired impression. This includes body language, facial expressions, and posture.
• B. Impression management – Goffman’s concept of impression management suggests that individuals work to present themselves in a way that aligns with social expectations, thereby managing others' perceptions.
• C. Goal orientation and interaction structures – While goal orientation is important in other theories of social behavior, dramaturgical theory focuses on performance rather than on goal-oriented outcomes or the underlying structures of interaction.
• D. Focus on the form of interaction – The theory emphasizes the process of interaction itself, such as how individuals present their identities in various social settings, over the broader social structures created by these interactions.