Erving Goffman

Definition

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist and writer known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life, particularly in the context of social interaction and identity. His theories emphasize how individuals manage impressions in their interactions, which is vital to understanding discourse processing, as it reveals how language and communication are shaped by social contexts and roles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goffman's work highlights that individuals are like actors performing roles based on the expectations of their audience during interactions.
2. His concept of 'face' refers to the positive social value a person claims for themselves during an interaction, which is crucial for maintaining discourse flow.
3. Goffman's analysis of social interactions emphasizes that language is not just a means of communication but a way to negotiate identities and relationships.
4. He introduced the idea that people often present themselves differently in various contexts, leading to complex layers of meaning in conversation.
5. His influential book 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life' laid the groundwork for understanding how personal identity is constructed through interaction.

Review Questions

• How does Goffman's concept of impression management relate to everyday discourse?
  • Goffman's concept of impression management is directly tied to everyday discourse as it describes how individuals consciously or unconsciously shape their presentations to influence how they are perceived by others. This process affects the language they use, the topics they choose, and even their body language. As people interact, they strategically curate their self-presentation to align with social expectations and norms, which is fundamental to effective communication.
• Analyze how Goffman's ideas about stigma can impact communication dynamics in social settings.
  • Goffman's ideas about stigma highlight how individuals may experience altered communication dynamics when they possess a stigmatized identity. This can lead to avoidance or altered interactions, where the person may feel compelled to manage their impression more carefully. The presence of stigma can hinder open dialogue and create barriers to genuine connection, as both parties navigate preconceived notions and societal judgments surrounding the stigmatized identity.
• Evaluate Goffman’s contributions to our understanding of language use in social contexts, considering both front stage and back stage behavior.
  • Goffman's contributions significantly enhance our understanding of language use by illustrating that communication is not merely about exchanging information but also about performing social roles. The distinction between front stage and back stage behavior underscores that individuals adopt different linguistic styles and content based on their audience and setting. In front stage, people may use more formal or socially acceptable language, while back stage allows for more relaxed or authentic expressions. This duality reveals how context shapes not only what we say but how we communicate and interact within different layers of social reality.

Related terms

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

Stigma: A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person, which affects how individuals are perceived in social contexts.

Front Stage and Back Stage: Concepts used by Goffman to describe the different behaviors individuals exhibit in public (front stage) versus private (back stage) settings.