Sociology in Everyday Life

Employing a symbolic interaction perspective, the authors provide a unique contribution to the sociological literature by applying sociological concepts to everyday interactions in order to reveal the underlying patterns and order of everyday life. Readers thus gain fresh insights into events and situations that might otherwise be taken for granted. While the text's focus is primarily on processes of interaction, it also examines the nature of connections between social structures and everyday face-to-face encounters. The Third Edition has been completely revised and updated, offering readers an engaging treatment of issues that are resonant with their daily experiences. Moreover, boxed inserts throughout the book highlight current topics relevant to the book's general content, ranging from cultural differences in nonverbal gestures to the debate over the boundaries of gender and sex, from the proliferation of online dating to the implications of the contemporary self-help movement.