Week 3 - Chapter 5

Social Interaction and Everyday Life in the Age of the Internet

Study by Christine Miranda

  • Investigated iPod users' receptiveness in NYC subway.

  • Hypothesis: Musical distraction makes iPod users less approachable.

    • Observed iPod vs. non-iPod users' interactions.

    • Factors analyzed: positioning, body language, race, sex, age.

    • Recorded both verbal exchanges and nonverbal cues.

  • Findings:

    • iPod users not averse to providing information; appeared courteous.

    • Non-users perceived iPod users as less approachable (Civil inattention)

    • Users quickly returned to their music post-interaction.

Key Concepts in Impression Management

  1. Impression Management:

    • Definition: Techniques to influence how others perceive us.

    • Influenced heavily by social roles.

  2. Social Roles:

    • Expectations attached to different social positions (e.g., teacher).

  3. Cues in Social Interactions:

    • Nonverbal communication crucial (body language, tone).

    • Civil Inattention: Quick acknowledgment of others without intrusiveness.

Theoretical Perspectives

  1. Erving Goffman:

    • Social life seen as a performance on various stages.

    • Closed-off spaces provide security, reducing interactions.

  2. Garfinkel’s Ethnomethodology:

    • Studies how individuals understand social interactions.

    • Investigates the unstated conventions that guide daily conversation.

Types of Interactions

  • Focused Interaction: Direct communication with attention.

  • Unfocused Interaction: Acknowledging presence without deep engagement.

Personal Space

  • Zones of Personal Space (Hall):

    1. Intimate: <1.5 feet (close relationships).

    2. Personal: 1.5 - 4 feet (friends and acquaintances).

    3. Social: 4 - 12 feet (formal settings).

    4. Public: >12 feet (performing to an audience).

Interactional Dynamics in Public Spaces

  • Interactional Vandalism: When social norms are violated in interactions (e.g., street harassment).

  • Negotiating Encounters: Understanding cues for conversation openings and closings is critical.

Contemporary Issues in Online Interaction

  • Social Media Effects: Balancing personal representation and audience segregation.

    • Multiple identities and online personas may complicate social interactions.

  • Dating in the Digital Age:

    • Growing use of dating apps (e.g., Tinder) alters how relationships are initiated.

    • Differences and preferences influence interactions, often reproducing gender inequalities.

Conclusion: Unanswered Questions

  • Reflect on the importance of face-to-face interactions.

  • How do technologies shape social dynamics and norms?

  • Need to further explore the implications of online interactions on relationship building.