Erving Goffman

Definition

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life and the concept of social interaction as a performance. His theories emphasize how individuals manage impressions in social situations, which ties into the way media frames representations of reality and societal body ideals. Goffman's insights are particularly relevant when considering how media shapes perceptions and expectations regarding identity and body image.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goffman's seminal work, 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life,' introduces the idea that life is like a stage where individuals perform roles based on societal expectations.
2. He described 'front-stage' and 'back-stage' behavior, emphasizing that people have different personas depending on their social context.
3. Goffman's concept of stigma highlights how societal labels can affect individuals' self-perception and their interactions with others, particularly in media portrayals.
4. His research has had significant implications in understanding how media framing influences perceptions of body ideals, as representations can reinforce or challenge societal norms.
5. Goffman argued that social interactions are shaped by context, suggesting that media representation can alter public perception by framing subjects in specific ways.

Review Questions

• How does Goffman's concept of impression management relate to media's role in shaping body ideals?
  • Goffman's concept of impression management explains that individuals consciously alter their behaviors to create specific impressions on others. In the context of media, this is significant as representations of body ideals can lead individuals to modify their appearance and behavior to fit those ideals. The media often presents curated images that dictate what is considered attractive, pushing people to engage in impression management that aligns with these framed standards.
• Analyze how Goffman's ideas about stigma can impact the representation of diverse body types in media.
  • Goffman's ideas about stigma illustrate how certain characteristics or identities are socially devalued, impacting individuals' self-perception and treatment by society. This has direct implications for media representation; bodies that do not conform to dominant beauty standards may be stigmatized or marginalized. By perpetuating stereotypes or neglecting diverse body types, media can reinforce harmful narratives about worthiness based on appearance, influencing societal attitudes toward these bodies.
• Evaluate the relevance of Goffman's theories on self-presentation in the age of social media, particularly concerning body image.
  • Goffman's theories on self-presentation are highly relevant in today's social media landscape, where individuals curate their online personas to align with perceived societal standards. This creates pressure to present an idealized version of oneself, particularly concerning body image. As users engage in selective sharing and editing of their images, it echoes Goffman’s notion of front-stage behavior. The constant comparison fostered by social media can exacerbate issues related to body image, showing how Goffman’s insights into social interaction remain pertinent in understanding contemporary dynamics.

Related terms

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

Stigma: A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person, which can heavily influence identity and social interactions.

Self-Presentation: The act of presenting oneself in a particular way to create a desired impression on others, often discussed in relation to social media and personal branding.