Compare and Contrast Goffman and Focaults’ Explanations of How Social Order Is Made and Remade
Social order is a concept that refers to a set of linked social structures and practices which maintain and enforce "normal" ‘normal’ways of relating and behaving. Social change provides the rules and regulations for what is ‘normal behaviour’ at the present time. This assignment incorporates the contrasts and comparisons of how social order is made and remade through the theories of Erving Goffman and Michael Foucault. This sentence is a bit complex—why not say this assignment compares and contrasts the work of ---In order to illustrate this, two case studies of traffic regulation, ‘The Buchanan report’ and ‘ Monderman’s thesis’ will be used to relate and feature, (illustrate/exemplify?) key points from both social scientists. This is a step in the right direction—I would suggest that you can touch upon some of the issues that you will consider—e.g. the role of individuals, discourse,power etc
Social scientists often refer to different levels of social life. ‘Micro’ is the first of these levels; this refers to the smallest of details, for instance our everyday behaviours, or particular interactions between people. Next is a level that takes a look at a pattern of behaviour, maybe within an organisation or institute, this is called ‘meso’. While the next level ‘macro’ focuses on the larger scale patterns and structures of social life.
Erving Goffman’s ideas focus on the ‘micro’, and the patterns of everyday life. He analyzed the social rules governing the interactions of individuals to develop his theories. Goffman demonstrated that the most casual actions of an individual, such as a glance or bodily gesture, are in effect a performance aimed toward communicating a positive impression for an audience. ‘Often these ways of acting and interacting are unnoticed and only become apparent when they are breached’ (staples et al.,2009, p.?) Goffman focused on the self and self-presentation. He preferred to study individuals, and the minutiae of a person’s face-to-face
Social scientists often refer to different levels of social life. ‘Micro’ is the first of these levels; this refers to the smallest of details, for instance our everyday behaviours, or particular interactions between people. Next is a level that takes a look at a pattern of behaviour, maybe within an organisation or institute, this is called ‘meso’. While the next level ‘macro’ focuses on the larger scale patterns and structures of social life.
Erving Goffman’s ideas focus on the ‘micro’, and the patterns of everyday life. He analyzed the social rules governing the interactions of individuals to develop his theories. Goffman demonstrated that the most casual actions of an individual, such as a glance or bodily gesture, are in effect a performance aimed toward communicating a positive impression for an audience. ‘Often these ways of acting and interacting are unnoticed and only become apparent when they are breached’ (staples et al.,2009, p.?) Goffman focused on the self and self-presentation. He preferred to study individuals, and the minutiae of a person’s face-to-face