Active/Alert:
Definition: Athlete has ongoing sense of understanding and attentiveness to one’s surroundings and circumstances, usually is staring with intent into the distance or staring at the action they are performing.
Athlete: Tyson chandler, NBA Basketball Player
Photographer: Peter Hapak: Year of photo shoot: 2012 Source: ESPN Body Issue
Expectations: Male
Findings: Men: Active and alert in 47% of photos Women: Active and alert in 15% of photos
My findings are consistent with Goffman’s theory as men were portrayed active and alert three times more than women. Goffman theorizes men would be displayed active/alert as opposed to smiling and laughing showing that men are strong, assertive, and in control.
Smiling/Laughing:
Definition: Exaggerated smiling/laughing and giggling: lack of seriousness
Athlete: Jamie Anderson, two time olympic gold medalist snowboarder
Photographer: Peggy Sirota: Year of Photo Shoot: 2014 Source: ESPN Body Issue
Expectations; Female
Findings: Women: Smiling/laughing and giggling in 7% of photos Men: Smiling/laughing in 4% of men’s photos.
My findings are consistent with Goffman’s Theory as women were portrayed smiling/laughing almost twice as much as men. Goffman theorizes women would be portrayed smiling/laughing as smiling and laughing is considered a subordinate trait in advertisements for women. Smiling/Laughing portrays women as being submissive and non-threatening. Smiling and laughing suggest that women are happy, friendly, and approachable, which reinforces traditional gender roles that place women in nurturing and supportive roles.
Drift/Dreamy
Definition: unfocused mind and facial expressions with wandering gaze into distance with no intent
Athlete: Christian Press, USWNT Soccer player
Photographer: Carlos Serrao Year of Photo Shoot: 2016: Source: ESPN Body Issue
Expectations: Female
Findings: Women: drifting/dreaming in 20% of photos Men: drifting or dreaming in 3% of photos
My findings are consistent with Goffman’s theory as women were portrayed drifting and dreaming nearly 7 times more than men. Goffman theorizes women would be displayed drifting and dreaming as opposed to alert/active showing that women are oblivious and thus non powerful and checked out. This portrayal conveys a sense of passivity and disconnection. Leads to reinforcing traditional gender roles in which women are expected to be submissive/passive.
Stare
Definition: Athlete is looking directly into the camera. Eyes directly into Camera
Athlete: Liz Cambage, WNBA Basketball Player
Photographer: Eric Lutzens: Year of photo shoot: 2019: Source: ESPN Body Issue
Expectations: Male
Findings: Women: Staring into camera in 41% of photos Men: Staring in 36% of photos
My findings were not consistent with Goffman’s theory as women were found to be directly looking into the camera slightly more than men. Goffman theorizes men would be portrayed staring into the camera as opposed to looking away showing that men generally have an outward an uninviting gaze. This outward gaze conveys dominance, power, and assertiveness. In traditional gender roles, men are expected to be dominant and in control, and direct eye contact is associated with these traits.