Erving Goffman

Definition

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist best known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life, focusing on how individuals manage impressions in social interactions. His theories emphasize the role of social context and culture in shaping behavior, making significant contributions to understanding politeness and cross-cultural pragmatics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goffman's work highlights how individuals use strategies to maintain face and navigate social norms, particularly in cross-cultural contexts where politeness strategies may vary.
2. He emphasized the importance of context in social interactions, suggesting that the same behavior can have different meanings depending on cultural expectations.
3. Goffman's theories have been applied widely in various fields, including communication studies, psychology, and cultural studies, particularly in examining how identity is constructed in social settings.
4. His book 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life' laid the foundation for understanding how individuals perform roles based on societal expectations and personal identity.
5. Goffman argued that face-to-face interactions are shaped by an ongoing negotiation of respect and status, which is critical for effective communication across different cultures.

Review Questions

• How does Goffman's concept of 'face' influence interpersonal communication, especially in different cultural contexts?
  • Goffman's concept of 'face' plays a crucial role in interpersonal communication as it represents an individual's self-image that they seek to uphold during interactions. In different cultural contexts, the rules for maintaining face can vary significantly. For example, some cultures may prioritize directness and honesty even at the risk of losing face, while others might emphasize saving face and avoiding confrontation, impacting how messages are conveyed and interpreted.
• Evaluate how Goffman's Dramaturgical Analysis contributes to our understanding of social behavior in diverse cultural settings.
  • Goffman's Dramaturgical Analysis offers valuable insights into social behavior by comparing interactions to theatrical performances where individuals play specific roles tailored to their audience. This perspective helps us understand that people adjust their behaviors according to cultural norms and expectations. In diverse cultural settings, this analysis reveals how misunderstandings can arise when individuals are unaware of differing performance styles or societal expectations regarding politeness and engagement.
• Synthesize Goffman's theories with modern communication practices to assess their relevance in today's digital interactions.
  • Goffman's theories remain highly relevant in analyzing today's digital interactions, as many online platforms serve as stages where users manage impressions through carefully curated profiles and posts. The concept of impression management is evident as individuals craft their online personas to fit societal expectations and gain social approval. Moreover, the notion of face is still significant; users often engage in strategic communication to protect their identities while navigating the complexities of digital etiquette and cross-cultural exchanges in global online communities.

Related terms

Face Theory:

A concept introduced by Goffman that describes the idea of maintaining one's social identity, or 'face', during interactions, which can be threatened by various communicative acts.

Dramaturgical Analysis: A framework developed by Goffman that likens social interactions to a theatrical performance, where individuals present themselves in ways that align with the expectations of their audience.

Impression Management: The process by which individuals consciously or unconsciously influence the perceptions others have of them in social situations.