Symbolic-Interactionism examines the “micro-sociology” of everyday life, and Erving Goffman, author of Stigma (1963), is one of its major theorists. In this paper, your tasks are to provide a critical analysis of “symbolic-interactionism” as a whole and Erving’s Goffman’s book in particular. Your essay should address the following:
1. First, explain the symbolic-interactionist approach to social theory. What is symbolic
interactionism and its major theoretical claims? What is its approach to the analysis of
contemporary society? And, who are some of its major proponents?
2. Second, examine what is distinctive about Goffman’s approach to symbolic
interaction, and the arguments he makes in his book Stigma. What is Goffman’s
understanding of stigma, its social construction, and its various types? What are,
according to Goffman, the social functions of stigmatization and the ways individuals
respond to it? Please provide specific examples drawn from the readings to support
your analysis; and
3. Third, what are your critical reflections and evaluation of the symbolic interaction
approach generally and of Goffman’s book Stigma in particular? How applicable (or
not) to contemporary life do you find the insights from Goffman’s book?
Materials Necessary for This Essay: Relevant Class Lectures; Dillon (2020)-Chapter 8;
and Goffman’s Book Stigma (1963/1986).
*ONLY USE THE SOURCES I HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH PLEASE. THE MORE QUOTES, CITATIONS, THE BETTER. THANK YOU.
