ABSTRACT
Research in the dramatic tradition takes different forms but broadly tends to coalesce around either dramaturgy or dramatism. Dramaturgy tends to be dominated by a more micro-sociological approach that primarily draws inspiration from the work of Erving Goffman, whereas dramatism is more strongly rooted in the humanities and influenced by the philosophy of Kenneth Burke. Like symbolic interactionism, dramaturgy is also concerned with developing a micro level analysis of social interaction, and tends to avoid systemic and structural explanations of social reality. Although Goffman's dramaturgy does imply the existence of some kind of internal script, these scripts are primarily self-determined by individuals with a view to maximizing their positive impact on specific audiences. Working in the dramaturgical tradition requires a fundamental acceptance of the theatricality of social life. At the heart of the dramatistic tradition is the idea that individuals construct and establish their identities through a continuous process of dramatic narration to both themselves and others.
