Arthur McLuhan
SOCI 3060
20 October 2015
The symbolic interaction perspective is a major theoretical framework in microsociology and social psychology, which analyzes the language and symbols used on a daily basis to give meaning to the process of social interaction. George Herbert Mead and Herbert George Blumer developed symbolic interaction throughout the 19th century, with the basic notion that symbolic interactionism analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that people inflict on matters, events and behavior.
According to Robert Pruss, Generic Social Processes address “ the emerging, sequencing, unfolding, and ongoing features of group life. They deal with the shaping, the forging, the forming, the constructing, …show more content…
I am a lifeguard and swimming instructor for the City of Vaughan at Woodbridge Pool. Through examining this subculture, I will touch upon major patterns such as Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical approach impression management, which consists of front and back stage.
Impression management refers to a process that is goal driven to influence and control other people’s perceptions of themselves. Back stage refers to the place the audience is unable to see because the social actor alters their behavior and their true self is shown. Front stage, is where social actors are visible to the audience and play their assigned roles based on the symbols and language conveyed to them.
I am examining this subculture because it is a direct representation of who I am. At work I share similar values and principles as my co-workers such as saving lives and preventing accidents. The community pool that I work at is a social setting that I have been familiar with for five years; therefore because I have familiarized myself with socially acceptable behavior I can portray professionalism at work which allows me to perform to my greatest …show more content…
There are times when I am not in the mood to teach or lifeguard, but I must always be alert and attentive. My role as a lifeguard and leader also extends passed my working hours. Because I am very highly looked upon in the community for saving lives, I need to always act responsible and diligent everywhere I go to carry out the reputation I hold for myself and as an active member of the City of Vaughan. For instance, I am a smoker although I may sometimes be craving a cigarette before or after work, I will never light up on work premises because I do not want the children I teach to get the wrong impression of me or to believe that smoking is a habit worth attaining because in reality it is a very bad habit to have. I especially do not want to smell like smoke around my coworkers and having to work with them for an entire shift. Although my coworkers and I have much in common at work, outside of the workplace we are very different people which is why Erving Goffmans impression management theory comes into play, because I