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Face and the Dynamics of Its Construction: A Relational and Multilayered Perspective
Author(s) -
Ivana GretiIulia
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
symbolic interaction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.874
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1533-8665
pISSN - 0195-6086
DOI - 10.1002/symb.209
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , face (sociological concept) , dynamics (music) , sociology , reading (process) , frame (networking) , computer science , epistemology , social constructionism , social psychology , psychology , linguistics , social science , artificial intelligence , telecommunications , pedagogy , philosophy
This article proposes a new understanding of the concept of face as coconstructed and characterized by various and not always polarized dynamics, such as gain/loss. In elaborating on this conceptual frame, I revisit Goffman's work on social appraisal and argue it is marked by a shift from an expositional to a relational approach. Using this reading of Goffman, together with characteristics of the Chinese concept of face, I analyze interview data about users' interpretations, motivations, and intentions behind public exchanges of information on Facebook. The data illustrate both interactive processes of gradual acquisition/erosion of mien‐tzu and loss of lien.