5.4 Performance in everyday life and social interactions
6 min read•august 13, 2024
Performance in everyday life shapes our social reality and sense of self. From casual chats to formal presentations, we use scripts, roles, and rituals to guide our behavior. Nonverbal cues like gestures and facial expressions play a big part too.
Our everyday performances are influenced by cultural norms and social expectations. We often present different versions of ourselves in public versus private settings. This helps us navigate social situations and manage our self-presentation in different contexts.
Performance in Everyday Life
The Ubiquity of Performance in Daily Interactions
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- Everyday life is filled with performances, from casual conversations to formal presentations, that shape our social reality and sense of self
- Performative aspects of everyday interactions include the use of scripts, roles, and rituals that guide behavior and communication in different social contexts (e.g., job interviews, family dinners, classroom discussions)
- , such as gestures, facial expressions, and body language, plays a significant role in the performative nature of everyday interactions
- For example, a firm handshake and direct eye contact can convey confidence and professionalism in a business setting
- Conversely, crossed arms and averted gaze may signal discomfort or disengagement in a social situation
The Influence of Social Norms and Expectations on Everyday Performance
- The concept of "front stage" and "back stage" behaviors, as described by , highlights the performative nature of social interactions and the management of self-presentation
- Front stage behaviors are those that individuals display in public settings to conform to social norms and expectations (e.g., dressing professionally for work, using polite language in customer service interactions)
- Back stage behaviors are those that occur in private settings, where individuals can relax and deviate from social scripts (e.g., venting to a close friend about a frustrating work situation, wearing comfortable clothing at home)
- Everyday performances are influenced by cultural norms, social expectations, and power dynamics that shape the scripts and roles available to individuals in different contexts
- For example, gender norms may prescribe different expectations for emotional expression and assertiveness in the workplace for men and women
- Social class and education level may shape the language and communication styles that individuals use in different settings (e.g., using academic jargon in a university classroom, using slang and colloquialisms in a casual conversation with friends)
Social Identities through Performance
The Construction and Performance of Social Identities
- Social identities, such as gender, race, class, and sexuality, are constructed and performed through everyday interactions and cultural practices
- Individuals perform their social identities through the use of language, dress, and other symbolic markers that communicate their belonging to particular social groups
- For example, wearing a rainbow pride flag pin can signal an individual's identification with the LGBTQ+ community
- Using African American Vernacular English (AAVE) can be a way for Black individuals to perform their racial and cultural identity in certain social contexts
- Performance of social identities is shaped by dominant cultural narratives and stereotypes that prescribe certain roles and behaviors for different social groups
- For example, the stereotype of the "angry Black woman" may constrain the emotional expressions available to Black women in professional settings
- The cultural narrative of the "model minority" may pressure Asian American students to perform academic excellence and conform to certain career paths
The Role of Performance in Maintaining Relationships
- Relationships are maintained and negotiated through performative interactions, such as rituals of greeting, gift-giving, and conflict resolution
- For example, the ritual of exchanging business cards in some Asian cultures serves to establish and maintain professional relationships
- The performance of a heartfelt apology can be crucial for repairing a damaged personal relationship
- The performance of social identities and relationships is a dynamic process that involves both conformity to and resistance against dominant social norms and expectations
- Individuals may strategically emphasize or downplay certain aspects of their social identities in different contexts to navigate social expectations and maintain relationships
- For example, a queer individual may choose to "code-switch" between using gender-neutral pronouns with friends and using gendered pronouns with family members who are not accepting of their identity
Power Dynamics in Performance
The Enactment and Contestation of Power through Performance
- provides a lens for analyzing how power is enacted and contested through everyday interactions and cultural practices
- Social norms and expectations are enforced through performative mechanisms, such as shaming, exclusion, and rewards for conformity
- For example, individuals who deviate from gender norms in their appearance or behavior may face social sanctions, such as being ridiculed, ostracized, or denied opportunities
- Conversely, individuals who conform to dominant social norms may be rewarded with social acceptance, popularity, and access to resources
- Dominant groups maintain their power through the performance of cultural narratives and practices that naturalize their privilege and marginalize other groups
- For example, the performance of whiteness as the default or "neutral" identity in media representations and cultural institutions serves to maintain white privilege and erase the experiences of people of color
- The performance of heteronormativity in public spaces and legal institutions (e.g., the institution of marriage) serves to marginalize and exclude LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships
The Use of Performance as Resistance by Marginalized Groups
- Marginalized groups may use performance as a form of resistance, subverting dominant norms and creating alternative spaces for expression and solidarity
- For example, drag performances can be a way for LGBTQ+ individuals to challenge binary gender norms and celebrate gender diversity
- Hip hop and spoken word performances can be a way for marginalized communities to assert their cultural identities, voice their experiences of oppression, and imagine alternative futures
- The performance of gender, race, and other social identities is shaped by intersecting power dynamics that create different opportunities and constraints for individuals based on their social location
- For example, working-class women of color may face unique challenges in performing professional identities due to the intersection of classism, racism, and sexism in the workplace
- Queer people of color may navigate different expectations and norms for gender and sexual expression in their own communities compared to dominant white LGBTQ+ spaces
Transforming Social Structures through Performance
Everyday Performances as Sites of Social Change
- Everyday performances can be sites of social change, as individuals and groups use their agency to challenge dominant norms and create new possibilities for social relations
- Activist performances, such as protests, street theater, and guerrilla art, use the power of performance to disrupt dominant narratives and inspire collective action
- For example, the Silent Sentinels, a group of women suffragists, staged silent protests outside the White House in the early 20th century to advocate for women's right to vote
- The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) used dramatic public performances, such as die-ins and political funerals, to bring attention to the AIDS crisis and demand government action in the 1980s and 1990s
- Marginalized communities may use performance to assert their cultural identities, build solidarity, and create alternative spaces for expression and resistance
- For example, the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s saw an explosion of African American art, music, and literature that celebrated Black culture and challenged racist stereotypes
- The Ballroom scene, an underground LGBTQ+ subculture that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, provides a space for queer and transgender people of color to perform and compete in drag and dance categories, building community and resilience in the face of marginalization
The Subversive Potential of Performance
- The subversive potential of everyday performance lies in its ability to denaturalize taken-for-granted social norms and reveal the constructed nature of social reality
- For example, gender-bending performances, such as drag kings and queens, can highlight the performative nature of gender and challenge the idea that gender is a natural or fixed identity
- Satire and parody can be used to critique and subvert dominant cultural narratives, such as the use of blackface in minstrel shows to mock and resist racist stereotypes of Black people
- Transformative performances may involve the creation of new cultural narratives, the reclaiming of public space, and the forging of alliances across difference to imagine and enact more just and equitable social structures
- For example, the Occupy Wall Street movement used public occupations and participatory decision-making to challenge economic inequality and imagine alternative forms of democracy
- The Black Lives Matter movement has used social media, art, and public demonstrations to challenge police brutality, assert the value of Black lives, and demand systemic change in the criminal justice system
Key Terms to Review (18)
Audience reception: Audience reception refers to the way individuals or groups interpret and respond to a performance or a piece of art, which can vary widely based on personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and social contexts. This concept is essential as it highlights the active role that audiences play in meaning-making, suggesting that their perceptions can significantly influence the overall impact and success of a performance in everyday life and social interactions.
Contextual Adaptability: Contextual adaptability refers to the ability to adjust one's behavior, communication, and performance based on the specific social environment or context. This skill is crucial for effective interaction in everyday life, as it allows individuals to navigate various social situations while maintaining authenticity and connection with others.
Dramaturgical analysis: Dramaturgical analysis is a sociological perspective that views social interactions as theatrical performances, where individuals present themselves in various ways depending on the context and audience. This concept highlights how people manage impressions, control how they are perceived, and engage in a sort of role-playing during everyday life. It emphasizes the idea that just like actors on a stage, individuals adapt their behaviors, expressions, and appearances to fit social norms and expectations.
Embodied performance: Embodied performance refers to the way in which individuals express themselves through their physical presence, movements, and gestures in various contexts. This concept emphasizes that performance is not just limited to theatrical settings but is a fundamental part of everyday interactions and social situations, where our bodies convey meaning and emotions in real-time.
Erving Goffman: Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist and a key figure in the field of performance studies, particularly known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life. His ideas emphasize the notion that social interactions are performed, suggesting that individuals manage their impressions in various social contexts, which connects deeply to concepts of identity, roles, and societal norms.
Impression Management: Impression management is the process by which individuals attempt to control the perceptions others have of them, often through various strategies and behaviors. This concept highlights the performative aspect of social interactions, where people present themselves in ways that align with social expectations or personal goals. By carefully crafting their appearances, actions, and narratives, individuals engage in a form of social performance that influences how they are perceived in various contexts.
Nonverbal communication: Nonverbal communication refers to the transmission of messages or signals without the use of words, including facial expressions, body language, gestures, posture, and eye contact. This form of communication plays a crucial role in everyday interactions, as it can convey emotions, attitudes, and intentions often more powerfully than verbal language. In social situations, nonverbal cues can enhance or contradict spoken words, making it essential for understanding context and meaning in personal and group dynamics.
Performance fluctuation: Performance fluctuation refers to the variations and changes in how individuals present themselves in different social contexts and interactions. These fluctuations can be influenced by various factors such as social expectations, emotional states, and environmental cues, leading individuals to adjust their behavior and expressions accordingly. Understanding performance fluctuation highlights the dynamic nature of human interaction and the ongoing negotiation of identity in everyday life.
Performance theory: Performance theory is a framework that examines the ways in which individuals and groups express themselves through various forms of performance. It emphasizes the role of context, audience, and intention in shaping the meanings and interpretations of performances, highlighting how these aspects intersect with cultural, social, and political dynamics.
Performative identity: Performative identity refers to the concept that identity is not a static essence but is instead constructed and expressed through repeated performances and social interactions. This idea suggests that our identities are shaped by the roles we play, the contexts we are in, and how we choose to present ourselves, which connects deeply to how identities can evolve based on social dynamics and cultural settings.
Public performance: Public performance refers to the act of presenting a work, whether artistic, cultural, or social, to an audience outside of a private setting. This can encompass various forms of expression, including theater, music, dance, and even everyday interactions where individuals engage in behaviors intended for an audience. These performances can shape social norms and create shared experiences among community members.
Richard Schechner: Richard Schechner is a prominent performance theorist and scholar known for his work in defining and expanding the field of performance studies. His theories emphasize the social, cultural, and ritualistic aspects of performance, encouraging a broader understanding of what constitutes performance beyond traditional theater.
Role playing: Role playing is a performance technique where individuals adopt and enact the behaviors, attitudes, and perspectives of a specific character or social role in a given context. This practice allows participants to explore various scenarios, understand different viewpoints, and engage in social interactions more dynamically. It is essential in everyday life as it helps individuals navigate social norms, build empathy, and improve communication skills.
Situational Performance: Situational performance refers to the way individuals adapt their behavior and expressions based on the specific context and social dynamics they encounter. This concept highlights how people adjust their performances—often unconsciously—depending on their environment, audience, and the particular social norms at play, reflecting the fluid nature of identity in everyday interactions.
Social Context: Social context refers to the environment of people, relationships, and social structures in which a performance occurs. It includes factors like culture, community norms, historical background, and interpersonal dynamics that influence how performances are perceived and enacted. Understanding social context is crucial because it shapes not only the intentions behind performances but also how audiences interpret and respond to them.
Social Performance: Social performance refers to the way individuals or groups enact roles and convey meanings within various social contexts, influencing perceptions, relationships, and interactions. This concept highlights that everyday behaviors and actions can be understood as performances that are shaped by social norms, expectations, and the environment in which they occur. By examining social performance, we can uncover the intricate ways people engage with each other and how identity is constructed and communicated in everyday life.
Spectatorship: Spectatorship refers to the relationship between the audience and the performance, encompassing how viewers interpret, engage with, and respond to the art being presented. This concept highlights the active role of spectators in creating meaning through their perceptions, backgrounds, and social contexts, while also considering the power dynamics at play in the viewing experience.
Symbolic Interaction: Symbolic interaction is a sociological framework that emphasizes the role of symbols and language as core elements in human interaction. It highlights how individuals create, interpret, and modify meanings through their social interactions, influencing their behavior and the perceptions of themselves and others. This process is crucial for understanding everyday life and social dynamics, as it underscores how meaning is constructed and negotiated within various contexts.