Tobacco Documents Online

ARCHETYPE PROJECT SUMMARY I. Purpose of the Archetype Project II. Outcome: The Archetype Ill. The Initiation Process IV. Social Ritual V. Implications of the Archetype VI. Future Directions

I. Project Purpose To understand and explain what smoking means to the smoker • What role does it play in the smoker's life?

II. The Archetype Smoking is a social ritual which enables us to express and reaffirm our self image. When we smoke we reactivate the initiation into adulthood which acknowledged our individualism and bound us to our peer group.

III. The Initiation Process Smoking can enable us to express and re-affirm our self image because it plays a special role in the "coming of age" process. That process has two stages: 1. Imprinting/Awareness 2. Rite of Passage

The Initiation Process (continued) First Stage: Imprinting/Awareness • Establishes smoking as a pleasurable a ult activity from which the observer is excluded - Beginning of in-group/out-group associations - Links smoking to adult identity Common Elements • Smoker is a role model/admired/heroic - Father, mother, grandfather, older sibling or friend • Smoking occurs in a"special situation" - Comradery - Happy, warm feelings • An "adults only" situation • Observer is on the outside looking in/does not belong - Wants to be included

The Initiation Process (continued) Second Stage: Rite of Passage • Smoking is a means of establishing one's own adult identity - Joining and "in-group" - Breaking taboos Common Elements • Ready to break into "adult" world • Recognize risk - Need a "safe place" • Initiator to lead/to bond with • Endure negative consequences to prove oneself

The Initiation Process (continued) • The use of cigarettes as a rite of passage has an enduring effect on how smoking functions for the individual later in life. Cements the perception that smoking is both "risky" and indulgent/rewarding Gives cigarettes the status of a "friend who has been through a lot with me" Helps define one's adult identity - a "smoker" - a „ris4~l4er„ - among the in-group • As a result smoking, to adults, becomes a social "ritual" - A means of continually expressing one's identity to others and reaffirming identity to oneself

IV. Social Rituals • Rituals serve specific functions - Channel and control emotions - funeral rites, cocktail before dinner - Control space and time - anniversaries - Communicate and reinforce a social bond - Rules of etiquette, fraternity hazing • Rituals have specific characteristics Repetition Meaning that goes beyond the immediate behavior Taboos "Initiation" "Mystical" elements (chants, colors, movements, smoke, fire)

Ritual Aspects of Smoking • Channel or control emotions - Anxiety reduction - Wake up/settle down - Regroup/revitalize - Focus attention • Control space and time - Take a break - Buy time/take time out - Mark time or events • Communicate and reinforce social bonds - A way to present oneself (badge) - Facilitate and strengthen social contact - Define boundaries of a social group (in-crowd/out-crowd)

V. Implications of the Archetype • Essential for smoking to remain - F.*Sky a "` ~ -,sk ~zc\-o. ` -Pr"'Odult activity - Not widely accepted a ~ CLC 1 i r~% L~rl s P . Cz 5 . ~.,e.~, • Reinforce the ritualistic aspects of smok - Fire and smoke - Pack color - Repetitive movements • Reinforce the "identification" functions of smoking - Helps define "who I am" - And, "who I am not" ,I social bonding" aspects of - In-group ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~. ~ ~ ~^^'~~i U J • Reinforce the smoking 'T" WIrMFIC"T w