Dramatism Theory was developed by Kenneth Burke as a way to analyze human relationships and motivation through interpretive studies. It compares life to a drama and analyzes human behavior based on five elements: the Act, Scene, Agent, Agency, and Purpose. The theory also examines identification, guilt, and three aspects of communication: superiority, inferiority, and equality. Dramatism Theory provides a lens for understanding human behavior and relationships.

2. Dramatism Theory
By: Kenneth Burke

4.  Dramatism Theory was developed by Kenneth Burke
as a way to analyze human relationships through
interpretive studies. It is a theory that compares life
to a drama. This provides a direct route from human
motivation to human relationships. It is a strategy
that intends to help others view life. Burke believed
that all of life was drama.

5. The Five Elements of
Dramatism Theory

6. 1. The Act: This describes what was done. It
is the motivation behind the decisions
that are being made.

7. 2. The Scene: This describes where the event
occurs. It has an influence on the decision
that was made.

8. 3. The Agent: This is a description of the
decision-maker.

9. 4. The Agency: This is a detailed description of the
methodology that was used to implement the
decision that was made.

10. 5. The Purpose: Why did the decision need to
be made in the first place?

11. The three key concepts
that are associated with
dramatism theory.

12. 1. Dramatistic Pentad. This is the instrument that is
used to create the set of principles, either relational or
functional, to understand the motive behind the
decisions that are made.

13. 2. Identification. When two people overlap with the
substance of what is being offered, this concept is used
to distinguish them. Because there is overlap in every
human relationship, Burke argues that identification is
impossible to ignore.

14. 3. Guilt. The root of all rhetoric lies in guilt.
Burke sees human activity as a method to purge
oneself of guilt, which often occurs through public
speaking. Other emotions are associated into this
concept, such as shame, anxiety, or disgust.

15. The Three Aspects of
Communication in
Dramatism Theory

16. 1. Superiority. This communication occurs when
one individual feels that they have a moral or
ethical control over a specific situation. They act in
confidence because they “know” they are right.
What other people think or feel doesn’t matter to
them.

17. 2. Inferiority. This communication occurs when
there is a concession to another that they are, in
fact, superior in some way. It is a social
relationship that communicates, “Go ahead and
lead. I’ll follow.”

18. 3. Equality. It may occur when there are differences or
similarities in opinion. It can occur between different
socioeconomic classes. It occurs when both may feel
superior or both may feel inferior. It is a concept that we
often hear expressed as, “I have a lot of respect for this
person.”

20. • https://healthresearchfunding.org/dramatism-
theory-explained/