SOC*1100 Week 6: Social Interaction, Media, and Social Media

What is social interaction?

The process by which people act and react in relation to others.

What is a status in sociology?

A social position that a person holds.

What is an ascribed status?

A social position that someone receives at birth or is assigned involuntarily, such as age or ethnicity.

What is an achieved status?

A social position that someone takes on voluntarily, reflecting personal ability and effort, such as being a professor or athlete.

What is a master status?

A status that has special importance for social identity, often shaping a person's entire life.

What is a role in sociology?

The behavior expected of someone who holds a particular status.

What is a role set?

A number of roles attached to a single status.

What is role conflict?

Conflict among the roles connected to two or more statuses.

What is role strain?

Tension among the roles connected to a single status.

What does role exit refer to?

The process by which people disengage from important social roles.

What is the social construction of reality?

The process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction.

What is the Thomas Theorem?

The principle that situations we define as real become real in their consequences.

What is ethnomethodology?

The study of the way people make sense of their everyday surroundings and social interactions.

Who developed the concept of dramaturgical analysis?

Erving Goffman.

What is dramaturgical analysis?

The study of social interaction in terms of theatrical performance.

What is impression management?

A person's efforts to create specific impressions in the minds of others.

How do role performances vary?

Role performances vary according to context and can change over time.

What is non-verbal communication?

Communication using body movement, gestures, and facial expressions rather than speech.

What is body language?

Non-verbal communication that includes gestures, facial expressions, and posture.

How can body language affect communication?

Unintended body language can contradict our planned method of communication.

What is the 'back region' in Goffman's analysis?

The area where individuals can relax and drop their performance, often filled with props that convey their status.

What is an example of role exit?

An ex-doctor or ex-partner disengaging from their previous social roles.

How does gender influence personal performances?

Gender reveals power dynamics in society through behaviors like space usage and demeanor.

What is 'demeanour' in the context of gender and power?

Demeanour refers to how we act and carry ourselves, which is related to power dynamics.

What is 'manspreading'?

Manspreading is when men take up more space than women, reflecting social power.

How do men and women differ in terms of personal space?

Men have greater social power and often intrude into women's personal space.

What does staring reveal in social interactions?

Staring reveals power dynamics and can be part of objectification.

How is smiling connected to gender and power?

Smiling can influence social interactions and even sentencing outcomes, reflecting social patterns related to race, gender, and disability.

What is idealization in personal performances?

Idealization involves constructing performances to present honorable intentions, often masking less noble motives.

Define embarrassment in the context of social performance.

Embarrassment is the discomfort following a spoiled performance, described by Goffman as 'losing face.'

What is 'tact' in social interactions?

Tact is the act of helping someone 'save face' during a performance.

What are the six basic emotions recognized universally?

Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Surprise.

How does culture influence emotions?

Culture guides human emotions and determines what triggers specific emotions.

What is emotional labour?

Emotional labour is the management of emotions to fit social environments, often gendered in nature.

How does language reflect gender and power?

Language communicates deeper meanings and reveals relationships between gender roles and power dynamics.

What role does language play in racial inequality?

Language reveals patterns of racial inequality and reflects societal attitudes towards race.

What is the foundation of humor according to sociology?

Humor is based on the contrast between conventional and unconventional realities.

How does humor relate to culture?

Humor is tied to a common culture and can signify insider knowledge.

In what ways can humor serve as a coping strategy?

Humor can be used to deal with stress, lack of privacy, and social inequalities.

What is the significance of 'getting the joke'?

'Getting the joke' indicates insider knowledge and understanding of cultural references.

What is the impact of mass media on society?

Mass media shapes public perceptions and social dynamics, influencing how gender and power are understood.

What is mass media?

The means for transmitting information from a single source to a vast number of people.

How did the development of the printing press impact communication?

It expanded the 'reach' of communication.

What regulates Canadian media?

The Canadian Broadcasting Act.

What is citizen journalism?

How people use social media to distribute information.

What percentage of Canadians use the internet?

90%.

Who argued that media carry and shape messages?

Marshal McLuhan.

What is media literacy?

The capacity to be a critical consumer of mass media.

What was the first media of mass communication?

Newspapers.

How did radio evolve?

Started as wireless telegraphs and expanded to AM, FM, shortwave, and satellite radio.

What impact has social media had on face-to-face communication?

Technology is replacing face-to-face communication.

What is cyberbullying?

The use of the internet to cause harm to another person.

What is the digital divide?

Differences in access to the internet for various categories of people.

What is multitasking in the context of social media?

Engaging in more than one mental or physical task at a given time.

What is the Shallow Culture Hypothesis?

The idea that technology encourages a superficial and morally shallow way of living.

What is media consolidation?

The trend by which an increasing share of mass media is owned and controlled by a small number of individuals and corporations.

What does the Bechdel test evaluate?

Whether a film takes women seriously.

How has social media transformed intimate relationships?

It has changed how people connect and communicate, including the rise of dating sites and sexting.

What are the positive effects of social media on relationships?

It can increase the quality and quantity of relationships.

What is the role of social media in politics?

It transmits political information and can harm or end political careers.

What does the structural-functional theory highlight about media?

It emphasizes how mass and social media contribute to the functioning of society.

What is the symbolic-interaction theory's focus regarding social media?

It highlights how individuals curate their social media accounts and construct their identities.

What does feminist theory suggest about social media?

It reflects and perpetuates male dominance over women.

What are latent functions of media?

Unintended consequences of media that shape reality.

What are some negative effects of social media on mental health?

Increases chances of emotional distress, cyberbullying, and suicidal ideation.

What is revenge porn?

Posting nude photos to harm another person.

How does social media influence conformity?

People are more likely to engage with content that has been 'liked' by others.