Symbolic Interactionism And Dramaturgical Theory As It Relates To College Drinking

The dramaturgical theory in sociological terms refers to the backstage, front stage, and props of a certain situation.  The front stage occurs wherever an audience is present.  The actor is aware of being watched and acts accordingly, adhering to certain conventions and traditions recognizable to the audience.  The backstage is where an individual is present but there is no audience.  They can leave character and not adhere to their audience’s conventions.  A prop can be anything that assists the actor in playing the role on the front stage.

Backstage – The back stage is anything that happens before the partying begins or to a certain partier while others are not watching.  It can be for example:  Dressing up, getting ready, taking a shower, buying alcohol, and having something to eat.  Anything prior to the party that an “actor” does while the audience of the party is not watching.  In terms of binge drinking this can be:  taking shots alone to get drunk before the party begins, sneaking away from the party to throw up drink water.  As long as the audience is not present, it is backstage.

Front Stage - The front stage for college students will be where the party is taking place; it doesn’t matter where, as long as there is a type of active partying going on, and there is also a group of people. This is where all the drinking goes down, where all the people are displaying their presence with an alcoholic drink and actually drinking. This is also where the peer pressure or binge drinking can or will occur.  It is inevitable that an act will be put on by one or more students in the presence of the audience to conform to a certain convention or tradition about college partying (i.e. Shotgunning, chugging, taking shots, etc.). 

Props – The props can involve anything that can help, ease, or supply the alcohol. The props involve the following: Beer, cups, beer pong tables/normal tables, beer bongs, ping pong balls, kegs, liquor, shot glasses, etc.  Anything that facilitates the actor in the performance front stage can be considered props.