Glossary

1.5 Relationship between performance and other disciplines

9 min read•august 21, 2024

intersects with numerous academic disciplines, enriching our understanding of human behavior and cultural practices. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of performance in various contexts, from everyday life to staged events.

Examining performance through multiple lenses reveals its complex role in shaping social interactions, cultural norms, and individual identities. By connecting performance to fields like anthropology, sociology, psychology, and the humanities, we gain deeper insights into its significance.

Interdisciplinary nature of performance

  • Performance studies intersects with numerous academic disciplines, enriching our understanding of human behavior and cultural practices
  • This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of performance in various contexts, from everyday life to staged events
  • Examining performance through multiple lenses reveals its complex role in shaping social interactions, cultural norms, and individual identities

Performance in anthropology

Top images from around the web for Performance in anthropology

  • Rites & Rituals – ICA Social Research Center View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • File:Performing Hopi Snake Dance Ceremony at pueblo of Oraibi, Arizona, 1898 (CHS-4660).jpg ... View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • Rites & Rituals – ICA Social Research Center View original

    Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Performance in anthropology

  • Rites & Rituals – ICA Social Research Center View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • File:Performing Hopi Snake Dance Ceremony at pueblo of Oraibi, Arizona, 1898 (CHS-4660).jpg ... View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • Rites & Rituals – ICA Social Research Center View original

    Is this image relevant?

1 of 3
  • Anthropologists study performance as a means of cultural expression and transmission
  • provide insights into social structures and belief systems
  • used to document and analyze performances in different cultures
  • Performance serves as a lens to understand cultural symbolism and meaning-making processes

Performance in sociology

  • Sociologists examine how performances reflect and reinforce social norms and hierarchies
  • views social interactions as performances with roles and scripts
  • Studies focus on the impact of performances on group dynamics and collective behavior
  • Analyzes how performances contribute to the construction and maintenance of social identities

Performance in psychology

  • Psychologists investigate the cognitive and emotional aspects of performance
  • Explores the relationship between performance anxiety and individual well-being
  • Studies the role of performance in identity formation and self-expression
  • Examines how performance techniques can be used in therapeutic settings ()

Performance in humanities

  • Humanities disciplines incorporate performance as a mode of artistic expression and cultural analysis
  • Performance studies in humanities explore the intersection of creativity, interpretation, and human experience
  • This approach enhances our understanding of how performance shapes and reflects cultural narratives and aesthetic values

Literature and performance

  • Analyzes the performative aspects of literary texts and their adaptation to stage or screen
  • Explores the relationship between written word and embodied performance
  • Examines how performance can offer new interpretations of literary works
  • Studies the role of storytelling and oral traditions in performance (epic poetry recitations)

Visual arts and performance

  • Investigates the intersection of and traditional visual art forms
  • Explores how performance can be incorporated into static art installations
  • Examines the role of the body as a medium in visual art performances
  • Analyzes the impact of live performance on audience engagement with visual art (interactive exhibits)

Music and performance

  • Studies the relationship between musical composition and live performance
  • Explores the role of improvisation and interpretation in musical performances
  • Examines the cultural significance of music performances in various societies
  • Analyzes the impact of technology on music performance practices (electronic music performances)

Performance in social sciences

  • Social sciences utilize performance as a lens to understand human behavior and societal structures
  • Performance studies in this context examine how individuals and groups enact social roles and cultural norms
  • This approach reveals the dynamic nature of social interactions and power relationships through performance analysis

Political science and performance

  • Examines how political leaders use performance techniques to convey messages and gain support
  • Analyzes the role of public demonstrations and protests as political performances
  • Explores the performative aspects of political rituals and ceremonies
  • Studies the impact of media performances on political discourse and public opinion (televised debates)

Economics and performance

  • Investigates the role of performance in economic transactions and consumer behavior
  • Examines how performance techniques are used in marketing and advertising
  • Analyzes the performative aspects of financial markets and trading floors
  • Explores the relationship between economic performance indicators and social perceptions

Communication studies and performance

  • Examines how nonverbal communication and body language contribute to performance
  • Analyzes the role of performance in public speaking and persuasion
  • Explores the impact of digital media on communication performances
  • Studies the performative aspects of interpersonal and group communication (workplace presentations)

Performance and technology

  • Technology has significantly impacted the creation, distribution, and reception of performances
  • Performance studies in this context examine how digital tools reshape traditional performance practices
  • This approach explores the potential of technology to create new forms of artistic expression and audience engagement

Digital performance

  • Explores the use of digital technologies in creating and presenting performances
  • Examines the impact of social media on performance creation and dissemination
  • Analyzes the role of live streaming in expanding performance audiences
  • Investigates the use of motion capture and digital avatars in performance (virtual concerts)

Virtual reality in performance

  • Studies the potential of virtual reality to create immersive performance experiences
  • Explores the challenges and opportunities of performing in virtual environments
  • Examines the impact of VR on audience perception and engagement
  • Analyzes the ethical implications of virtual performances and digital embodiment

Performance in media studies

  • Investigates the performative aspects of film, television, and online media
  • Examines the role of performance in shaping media narratives and representations
  • Explores the impact of media performances on cultural attitudes and behaviors
  • Analyzes the relationship between live performance and mediatized versions (Broadway shows adapted for film)

Performance and cultural studies

  • incorporate performance as a means of understanding and critiquing social structures
  • This approach examines how performances reflect, reinforce, or challenge cultural norms and power dynamics
  • Performance studies in cultural contexts reveal the complex interplay between individual agency and societal constraints

Gender studies and performance

  • Examines how gender roles and identities are performed in various cultural contexts
  • Analyzes the role of performance in challenging or reinforcing gender stereotypes
  • Explores the impact of feminist performance art on social and political discourse
  • Investigates the performative aspects of drag and gender non-conforming expressions

Race and ethnicity in performance

  • Studies how racial and ethnic identities are constructed and expressed through performance
  • Examines the role of performance in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage
  • Analyzes the impact of performances on challenging or reinforcing racial stereotypes
  • Explores the use of performance as a tool for cultural resistance and empowerment

Postcolonial perspectives on performance

  • Investigates how performance practices reflect and respond to colonial histories
  • Examines the role of performance in constructing and challenging national identities
  • Analyzes the impact of globalization on traditional performance forms
  • Explores how hybrid performance practices emerge in postcolonial contexts

Performance and philosophy

  • Philosophy provides theoretical frameworks for understanding the nature and significance of performance
  • This approach examines fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, and existence through the lens of performance
  • Performance studies in philosophy explore how embodied practices can illuminate abstract concepts and ideas

Phenomenology and performance

  • Examines the lived experience of performers and audiences during performances
  • Analyzes how performance can reveal the nature of perception and consciousness
  • Explores the role of the body in creating and experiencing meaning through performance
  • Investigates the concept of presence and its significance in live performances

Existentialism and performance

  • Studies how performance can explore themes of freedom, responsibility, and authenticity
  • Examines the role of performance in confronting existential anxiety and absurdity
  • Analyzes how performances can create moments of existential awareness for audiences
  • Explores the relationship between performance and the construction of personal identity

Postmodernism and performance

  • Investigates how performance challenges traditional notions of narrative and representation
  • Examines the use of fragmentation, pastiche, and intertextuality in postmodern performances
  • Analyzes the role of performance in deconstructing grand narratives and cultural myths
  • Explores the blurring of boundaries between high and low art in postmodern performance practices

Performance in education

  • Education incorporates performance as a pedagogical tool and subject of study
  • This approach examines how performance techniques can enhance learning and personal development
  • Performance studies in education explore the potential of embodied practices to transform educational experiences

Drama in education

  • Examines the use of dramatic techniques to enhance learning across various subjects
  • Analyzes the impact of role-playing on student engagement and understanding
  • Explores the potential of theatre games to develop social and emotional skills
  • Investigates the use of process drama in creating immersive learning experiences

Performance pedagogy

  • Studies how performance-based teaching methods can enhance student learning and engagement
  • Examines the role of embodied knowledge in educational contexts
  • Analyzes the impact of performance-based assessments on student achievement
  • Explores the use of performance techniques in teacher training and professional development

Applied theatre

  • Investigates the use of theatre practices to address social issues and promote community development
  • Examines the role of in empowering marginalized groups
  • Analyzes the impact of theatre for development projects in various cultural contexts
  • Explores the use of to facilitate dialogue and problem-solving in communities

Performance and ritual studies

  • Ritual studies examine the performative aspects of cultural and religious practices
  • This approach investigates how rituals function as performances that create and maintain social bonds
  • Performance studies in ritual contexts reveal the transformative power of symbolic actions and communal experiences

Religious rituals as performance

  • Examines the performative elements of religious ceremonies and practices
  • Analyzes how religious performances create and reinforce spiritual experiences
  • Explores the role of music, dance, and gesture in religious rituals
  • Investigates the impact of modernization on traditional religious performances

Secular rituals and performance

  • Studies the performative aspects of everyday rituals and social customs
  • Examines how secular rituals create and maintain social bonds and cultural identities
  • Analyzes the role of performance in civic ceremonies and national celebrations
  • Explores the emergence of new secular rituals in contemporary society (flash mobs)

Liminality in performance

  • Investigates the concept of liminality as a transitional state in performances and rituals
  • Examines how performances create liminal spaces for transformation and reflection
  • Analyzes the role of liminality in creating communitas among participants
  • Explores the use of liminal experiences in experimental theatre and performance art

Performance and cognitive science

  • provides insights into the mental processes involved in creating and experiencing performances
  • This approach examines how performance practices can illuminate our understanding of human cognition and perception
  • Performance studies in cognitive science explore the relationship between mind, body, and environment in performance contexts

Embodied cognition in performance

  • Examines how physical actions and gestures contribute to cognitive processes in performance
  • Analyzes the role of muscle memory and kinesthetic intelligence in performance practices
  • Explores how embodied experiences shape performers' and audiences' understanding
  • Investigates the relationship between movement and language processing in performance

Neuroscience of performance

  • Studies the neural mechanisms involved in creating and perceiving performances
  • Examines the impact of performance training on brain plasticity and cognitive function
  • Analyzes the role of mirror neurons in audience empathy and engagement
  • Explores the potential of neurofeedback in enhancing performance skills

Cognitive psychology and performance

  • Investigates how attention, memory, and perception influence performance creation and reception
  • Examines the cognitive processes involved in improvisation and creative problem-solving
  • Analyzes the impact of performance on cognitive development and learning
  • Explores the role of mental imagery and visualization in performance preparation

Performance and environmental studies

  • Environmental studies incorporate performance as a means of exploring human-nature relationships
  • This approach examines how performances can raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainability
  • Performance studies in environmental contexts reveal the potential of artistic practices to engage with ecological concerns

Eco-performance

  • Examines how performances address environmental issues and promote ecological awareness
  • Analyzes the use of natural materials and sustainable practices in performance creation
  • Explores the role of performance in communicating scientific data about climate change
  • Investigates the impact of eco-performances on audience attitudes and behaviors

Site-specific performance

  • Studies how performances interact with and respond to specific locations and environments
  • Examines the role of landscape and architecture in shaping performance experiences
  • Analyzes how site-specific performances can reveal hidden histories and cultural meanings
  • Explores the potential of outdoor performances to create new relationships with nature

Performance and sustainability

  • Investigates how performance practices can promote sustainable living and environmental stewardship
  • Examines the role of community-based performances in fostering local ecological knowledge
  • Analyzes the impact of performances on raising awareness about sustainable development goals
  • Explores the use of performance techniques in environmental education and activism

Key Terms to Review (33)

Applied theatre: Applied theatre refers to the use of performance and theatrical techniques in non-traditional settings, often aimed at addressing social, political, or community issues. This practice emphasizes the role of theatre as a tool for engagement, education, and empowerment, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond just entertainment. It serves as a bridge connecting performance with various disciplines such as education, social work, and community development.
Cognitive Science: Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and its processes, encompassing areas like psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, philosophy, linguistics, and anthropology. It seeks to understand how people think, learn, remember, and perceive, making connections between these cognitive processes and various forms of performance, including artistic and theatrical expressions.
Cultural performance: Cultural performance refers to the ways in which cultural expressions are enacted through performance, encompassing rituals, traditions, and everyday practices that convey meanings and values within a community. It highlights the interconnectedness of culture and performance, showing how cultural identities and social dynamics are performed in various contexts. This term can be applied to analyze interactions across disciplines, participant engagement in ethnographic research, and the performative nature of political discourse.
Cultural Studies: Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the ways in which culture creates and transforms individual experiences, everyday life, social relations, and power dynamics. It looks at how culture influences and reflects societal norms, beliefs, and identities, connecting these ideas to broader social and political contexts. This approach highlights the significance of performance as a site of cultural expression and critique, making it essential for understanding the connections between various disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, and media studies.
Digital Performance: Digital performance refers to artistic expressions that leverage digital technology as a primary medium, merging live action with digital environments and elements. This form of performance encompasses a range of genres, including theater, dance, and interactive media, creating new possibilities for storytelling and audience engagement through virtual spaces.
Dramaturgical Approach: The dramaturgical approach is a framework developed by Erving Goffman that uses the metaphor of theater to analyze social interactions and performances in everyday life. It suggests that individuals present themselves in various ways, akin to actors on a stage, adapting their behaviors based on the audience and context. This approach can reveal how performance shapes identity, relationships, and the perception of reality in both personal interactions and larger social movements.
Eco-performance: Eco-performance refers to a form of performance that seeks to address ecological issues and promote environmental awareness through artistic expression. This approach blends traditional performance practices with themes related to nature, sustainability, and the human impact on the environment, fostering a connection between the audience and pressing ecological concerns.
Embodied cognition: Embodied cognition is the theory that our thoughts and cognitive processes are deeply rooted in the body's interactions with the world. This concept emphasizes that understanding and knowledge come from our physical experiences, highlighting the significant role our bodily sensations and movements play in shaping our perceptions and mental processes. It connects closely with various disciplines, especially in understanding how performance art can influence cognition through physical expression and somatic practices that enhance awareness of the body in space.
Ethnographic methods: Ethnographic methods are qualitative research techniques used to study cultures and communities through direct observation, participation, and immersion in the daily lives of individuals. This approach emphasizes understanding the social contexts and meanings of behaviors within specific cultural settings, making it especially relevant to performance studies as it connects the nuances of human interaction with various forms of expression.
Existentialism and Performance: Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, asserting that individuals create their own meaning within an indifferent universe. In the context of performance, existentialism explores how the act of performing can reflect and embody the complexities of human existence, revealing deeper truths about identity, agency, and the human condition.
Forum theatre: Forum theatre is an interactive form of performance that invites audience participation to explore and address social issues through improvisation and discussion. It encourages spectators to become 'spect-actors,' who can intervene in the performance, altering the narrative to find solutions or provoke dialogue about real-life challenges. This form of theatre connects deeply with various disciplines, as it combines elements of drama, education, and community engagement, while serving as a powerful tool for social critique.
Gender studies: Gender studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the roles, experiences, and representations of gender in society. It analyzes how gender interacts with other social categories like race, class, and sexuality, influencing individual identities and societal structures. This field draws from various disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, literature, and performance studies, to understand the complexity of gendered experiences.
Interdisciplinary connections: Interdisciplinary connections refer to the relationships and interactions between different fields of study, highlighting how knowledge and methods from one discipline can enhance understanding in another. This concept is essential in recognizing that performance studies do not exist in isolation; rather, they draw from various disciplines like sociology, anthropology, history, and the arts, creating a richer, more holistic perspective on performance.
Neuroscience of performance: The neuroscience of performance studies the brain processes and neurological mechanisms that underlie human performance in various activities, including artistic expression, athletic feats, and other performative acts. By examining how the brain functions during these performances, researchers can better understand the cognitive, emotional, and physiological aspects that contribute to effective execution and creativity in performance-related tasks.
Participatory theatre: Participatory theatre is a form of performance that actively involves the audience in the theatrical experience, breaking down the traditional barriers between performers and spectators. This style encourages viewers to engage with the performance, often prompting them to influence the narrative, make choices, or even become part of the action. By fostering this interaction, participatory theatre creates a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere that can deepen the emotional and social impact of the performance.
Performance and Sustainability: Performance and sustainability refers to the ways in which performance practices can contribute to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This connection emphasizes how performance can be a tool for raising awareness about sustainability issues, promoting eco-friendly practices, and encouraging community engagement while also considering the resources used in creating performances.
Performance art: Performance art is a live art form that combines elements of theater, visual art, and sometimes music, where the artist's body serves as the primary medium of expression. This genre challenges traditional boundaries of art and engages audiences directly, often exploring themes like identity, culture, and societal issues. Its unique nature allows it to be a powerful tool for cultural analysis, examining historical contexts and fostering dialogues about contemporary issues.
Performance ethnography: Performance ethnography is a research method that combines the principles of performance studies and ethnographic research to explore cultural practices and social phenomena through performance. This approach emphasizes the act of storytelling, allowing researchers to engage with communities and reflect on their lived experiences, often highlighting marginalized voices and perspectives.
Performance pedagogy: Performance pedagogy is an educational approach that emphasizes learning through the act of performance, integrating theory and practice in the arts and education. This method recognizes the importance of active engagement, creativity, and collaboration in the learning process, allowing students to explore concepts in dynamic and experiential ways.
Performance studies: Performance studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the various ways in which performance manifests in everyday life, art, and culture. It explores the dynamics of live performance and the significance of embodied expression across different contexts, including theater, dance, ritual, and social practices. This field connects various aspects of human experience, making it relevant to diverse disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies.
Performative activism: Performative activism refers to actions taken to support social or political causes that are often more about appearing to care than making a genuine impact. This kind of activism typically occurs in public or on social media, where individuals or organizations seek recognition for their involvement, often without engaging in meaningful change or accountability. It highlights the difference between real activism and actions that are more self-serving or superficial.
Performative identity: Performative identity refers to the concept that identity is not a fixed trait but is constructed and expressed through performance, actions, and interactions within specific contexts. This means that who we are can change depending on the situations we find ourselves in, highlighting the fluid nature of identity and its connection to culture, social norms, and personal expression.
Phenomenology and Performance: Phenomenology in performance studies refers to the exploration of how individuals experience and interpret performances, emphasizing the lived experiences of both performers and audiences. This approach connects closely with other disciplines, such as psychology and anthropology, as it focuses on perception, embodiment, and the subjective nature of reality that arises through performance events.
Postcolonial perspectives on performance: Postcolonial perspectives on performance examine how colonial histories and power dynamics shape cultural expressions and artistic practices. This approach highlights the ways in which performance can serve as a site for resistance, identity formation, and the reimagining of narratives that have been influenced by colonialism, offering a critical lens to understand cultural interactions and exchanges.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is an artistic, cultural, and intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against the established norms of modernism. It is characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, embracing fragmentation, ambiguity, and a questioning of the notion of authenticity. This concept deeply influences various fields, intertwining with performance to blur boundaries between disciplines, challenge traditional ideas of identity, and engage with new forms of expression through technology and social media.
Psychodrama: Psychodrama is a therapeutic technique that uses guided drama and role-playing to help individuals explore and express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This method allows participants to reenact personal events and gain insights into their feelings, relationships, and behaviors, making it a unique intersection of performance and psychology.
Race and Ethnicity in Performance: Race and ethnicity in performance refers to the ways in which various racial and ethnic identities are expressed, represented, and interpreted within performance arts. This concept emphasizes how performance not only reflects cultural narratives but also challenges and reshapes societal perceptions of race and ethnicity through diverse forms of expression, including theater, dance, music, and spoken word.
Richard Schechner: Richard Schechner is a prominent American performance theorist, director, and writer known for his foundational work in performance studies and his exploration of the intersections between performance, ritual, and culture. His theories have significantly influenced the understanding of performance as a social and cultural phenomenon, emphasizing its role in shaping identity and community.
Ritual Performances: Ritual performances are structured and repeated actions that hold significant cultural, religious, or social meaning, often intended to mark important events or transitions in life. These performances can involve various elements such as music, dance, storytelling, and symbolic gestures, serving to reinforce community values and identity. They are deeply intertwined with other disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, and religious studies, as they explore the ways in which cultures express beliefs and social norms through performance.
Site-specific performance: Site-specific performance refers to a type of performance that is created for, and is intended to exist in, a specific location, often engaging with the unique characteristics of that space. This kind of performance challenges traditional notions of theater by utilizing the environment, architecture, and community context as integral elements of the artistic experience.
Social ritual: A social ritual is a structured and repetitive action or behavior that holds cultural significance and serves to reinforce social norms, values, or relationships within a community. These rituals often take place in various contexts, such as religious ceremonies, celebrations, or everyday practices, and are essential for building connections among individuals and groups.
Victor Turner: Victor Turner was a renowned anthropologist known for his influential work on the social and cultural significance of performance, particularly through the concepts of liminality and communitas. His research illuminated how rituals and performances play a crucial role in societal dynamics, emphasizing their power in shaping identity and community.
Virtual reality in performance: Virtual reality in performance refers to the integration of immersive digital environments into live theatrical or artistic presentations, allowing audiences to experience a narrative or artistic expression in a multi-sensory way. This technology merges the physical and digital realms, enabling performers and creators to explore new forms of storytelling and interaction with viewers, creating a more engaging and dynamic experience.
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Back
Practice QuizGlossary
Practice QuizGlossary
Next guide