Journals Information
Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 5(1), pp. 9 - 18
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2017.050102
Reprint (PDF) (277Kb)
Who Cares? Social Roles and Attempts to Modify Behavioral Strategies through Service Provider Presentations
Erica Jablonski *
Department of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts, University of New Hampshire, United States
ABSTRACT
In this participation observation study conducted in the northeastern United States, I used Erving Goffman's theories on the presentation of self in everyday life and on stigma to analyze the content and relative success of five service provider presentations about issues relevant to people with disabilities or older adults needing assistance to live independently. A stated goal of all presentations was to increase understanding of the needs of the populations served, but it was apparent that the purpose of increased understanding was to reinforce prosocial behaviors toward service users. In other words, service provider presentations were socialization events seeking to engage attendees in enhanced positive social interactions with the subjects of each presentation. Audience member engagement at the presentations varied based on the social roles of audience members, their stance relative to the populations discussed, and the extent to which the presentations pushed them to accept redefined social roles and behaviors. By analyzing the positive, negative, engaged, and detached nature of social exchanges in these presentations, it may be possible to reveal more and less effective ways that service providers can help modify the interaction rituals between social actors and stigmatized populations.
KEYWORDS
Social Roles, Stigma, Service Providers, Functioning, Disability, Participant Observation, Service Users
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Erica Jablonski , "Who Cares? Social Roles and Attempts to Modify Behavioral Strategies through Service Provider Presentations," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 9 - 18, 2017. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2017.050102.
(b). APA Format:
Erica Jablonski (2017). Who Cares? Social Roles and Attempts to Modify Behavioral Strategies through Service Provider Presentations. Sociology and Anthropology, 5(1), 9 - 18. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2017.050102.