Erving Goffman

Definition

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist and playwright, known for his work on the concept of 'face' in social interactions, which refers to the image of self that a person presents in social contexts. His theories emphasize how individuals manage their social identities and interactions, often focusing on the delicate balance of maintaining 'face' while navigating various social situations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goffman's work highlights the importance of social context in shaping identity and interaction, emphasizing that our behavior changes depending on the audience.
2. He introduced the idea that individuals perform roles based on societal expectations, similar to actors in a play, thus framing social life as a series of performances.
3. His concept of 'face' is tied closely to politeness strategies, where individuals take care not to threaten each other's face during conversations.
4. Goffman argued that failures in maintaining face can lead to social embarrassment or conflict, impacting personal relationships and social dynamics.
5. His writings have significantly influenced various fields, including sociology, communication studies, and psychology, especially in understanding social identity and group dynamics.

Review Questions

• How does Goffman's concept of 'face' relate to social interactions and the management of identity?
  • Goffman's concept of 'face' is crucial for understanding how individuals present themselves during social interactions. It highlights that people are constantly managing their identities based on the social context and audience they are engaging with. The need to maintain 'face' leads individuals to adopt certain behaviors and strategies in order to protect their self-image and avoid embarrassing situations.
• Discuss how Goffman's idea of impression management is relevant to contemporary communication in digital spaces.
  • Goffman's idea of impression management is highly relevant today, especially with the rise of social media. Individuals curate their online personas much like actors preparing for a role, selecting images and posts that align with how they want to be perceived. This careful curation demonstrates how the concept of maintaining 'face' extends into digital interactions, as users navigate the complexities of online identity while striving for authenticity and approval.
• Evaluate the impact of Goffman's dramaturgical analysis on our understanding of everyday social behavior and group dynamics.
  • Goffman's dramaturgical analysis provides a profound lens through which we can evaluate everyday social behavior by framing it as a performance. This perspective allows us to see how individuals adopt different roles based on their audience and environment. By understanding this dynamic, we gain insights into group dynamics and social hierarchies, revealing how power relationships influence behavior and identity presentation in various contexts.

Related terms

Facework: The communicative strategies used by individuals to maintain, protect, or restore their 'face' during interactions.

Impression Management: The process by which individuals attempt to control the impressions others form of them in social interactions.

Dramaturgical Analysis: A sociological perspective developed by Goffman that compares social interaction to theatrical performance, emphasizing the roles people play in everyday life.