Critical Thinking Exercise
Sociology 100
Spring 2005
Professor: Lisa Pellerin
Imagine that you are going to a social
gathering
where you will meet people who could help you get a job in your field.
Briefly describe the setting?
What impression management activities would you use?
How would this differ from your behavior with your
friends?
I would imagine this social gathering to be
something like a job fair where booths would be set up all around a
room and at one booth four or five teachers would be handing out flyers
about strategies and ideas for teaching and talking to other students
about how to get a job as a teacher.
I would try to use impression management strategies
such as showing emphasize on my passion for teaching and what an
organized person I am. I could show this by bringing a briefcase with
an organized teaching portfolio inside that show what I’ve accomplished
and learned during my training to become a teacher.
My behavior in this situation would differ then that
of when I was with my friends, because around my friends, my focus
wouldn’t be on highlighting qualities that would make me a good
teacher. With my friends I would be focused on qualities that make me a
good friend and be much more relaxed because I would have already
achieved the status of a good friend.
Professor’s comments: Professor Pellerin
didn’t write any comments, but gave me 20 points out of 20 points
possible.
Source: Newman, David M. Sociology
Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life. 5th ed. London: Pine
Forge Press, 2004.