From Total Institution to Status Bloodbath: Goff man as a Comparative Researcher and Grounded Theorist

W. Peter Archibald; Benjamin Kelly; Michael Adorjan

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.11.4.02

Authors

W. Peter Archibald McMaster University, Canada
Benjamin Kelly Nipissing University, Canada
Michael Adorjan University of Calgary, Canada; Fellow, Centre for Criminology, University of Hong Kong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.11.4.02

Keywords:

Goffman, Sociology, Comparative Methods, Grounded Theory, General Theory

Abstract

Erving Goff man has not only had a huge impact upon his home discipline of sociology but may be its most cited, as well as best known member ever. Nevertheless, Goff man continues to be heavily criticized by his fellow sociologists for his allegedly undecipherable and sloppy methods for conducting empirical research and constructing and accumulating general theory. We demonstrate here that while some of his specific practices were intuitive and unorthodox, and perhaps not always available to Goff man himself through self-reflection, they often included systematic empirical comparisons and generalizations, and grounded, general theory. It is tragic that he apparently died lamenting that these common characteristics of his work have been so little recognized (Berger 1986). He encouraged Verhoeven (1993), among others, to rectify this, and hopefully our own eff orts here have contributed to this important, but unfinished business.

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Author Biographies

W. Peter Archibald, McMaster University, Canada

Peter Archibald has a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan, U.S.A. He has writt en and taught about the relationships among the social sciences, “human nature,” industrial relations, and the social and personal impact of economic crises. He is currently Professor Emeritus at McMaster University.

Benjamin Kelly, Nipissing University, Canada

Benjamin Kelly is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Nipissing University, Canada. His theoretical and qualitative research interests include investigating the relationship between identity, emotions, and social structure.

Michael Adorjan, University of Calgary, Canada; Fellow, Centre for Criminology, University of Hong Kong

Michael Adorjan is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary, Canada and Honorary Fellow in the Centre for Criminology, University of Hong Kong. His research and teaching focus on youth crime representations and responses, fear of crime, trust in police, and cyber-risk.

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