Research Paper on:
Harold Garfinkel and Erving Goffman on Communication and Interaction

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
The manner in which individuals interact can take a variety of forms. The manner in which individuals relate to one another involve active processes in managing  their social roles. Sociologists Goffman and Garfinkel view these roles and processes quite similarly but use decisively different terminology to describe them. The specifics of the manner in  which we communicate with one another is central to each of these sociologists theories. Both Garfinkel and Goffman recognize that communication modes are directly related to the communication  situation. In "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" Goffman (1959) uses the analogy of drama and the stage to present  his theories of "dramaturgy", for example. He explains human interactions as a theatrical performance, a performance complete with individual scripts, settings, and performances which make up an individuals daily  life. Garfinkel recognizes the importance of the environment as a stage for human interaction as well. He coined the term "ethnomethodology", to describe the manner in which that  stage is set for interpersonal communication. To Garfinkel experiences actually shaped the meaning of language and language was not even consistent in meaning between all individuals.  Both Garfinkel and Goffman recognize that there are both verbal and non-verbal components of communication. Oral communication in itself can take a variety  of forms including interpretive communication, communication based on emotion and communication based on criticism. Regardless of the form, however, it is an acknowledged fact that most forms of communication  are much more than just idle chat. Garfinkel and Goffman emphasize that proper communication skills allows individuals and organizations to share information, analyze situations and to set goals.