Back region
From Geography
Back region
The term back region is used to describe an area (within social networks) in which one can retrieve from social control. It therefore is the opposite of the front region in which one finds himself under social constraints. Psychologically seen people can also be in a back region, while being among other people. In such a situation the back region might also be reached in thoughts, meaning that one can think and wish something else than corresponding with his overt behaviour. Without the possibility to retreat into the back region, everybody would act as he or she wishes and say what he or she is thinking. When given a more spatial implication, the back region can be seen as a spatial entity where one can be alone, for example the home. In relation to Action theory the term is used to describe locales, which are “places loaded with meaningfulness” for actors and interaction. Locales refer to “physical elements of social interaction loaded with social content”. In this context Lippuner and Benno Werlen (2009, p. 44) use the term back region to exemplify the process which makes of one or several locales a region (regionalization). More specifically the “back region” carries generally attributes and contents which are connoted with “disadvantages” (e.g. socio-economic ones), less “privileged” conditions or the geopolitical peripheries (as contrasted to front regions which are considered to be centers) (ibid.) . The term is introduced by Goffen and used by Anthony Giddens (see front region).
References
Orgtheory.net http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/goffmans-front-and-backstages/
For clear examples see http://soc302.tripod.com/soc_302rocks/id2.html
Contributors
Published by Lorenzo Goudsmits (s0827991) & Lisanne Dols (s0822701)
Edited by Janna Voelpel s3015041JannaVolpel 15:12, 7 May 2012 (CEST)
