Erving Goffman

Definition

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of symbolic interactionism, particularly focusing on how individuals present themselves in social interactions. His ideas about face-to-face interaction, impression management, and the concept of 'the self' in social contexts play a vital role in understanding social behavior, particularly within the frameworks of pragmatics and politeness as well as interactional sociolinguistics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goffman emphasized that social life is a performance where individuals play roles to manage the impressions they give to others.
2. He introduced the concept of 'face', which refers to the positive social value a person claims for themselves in interactions.
3. His work highlights the importance of context in determining how language and behavior are interpreted, linking it closely to pragmatics.
4. Goffman's ideas help explain how politeness strategies are employed to maintain face and navigate social hierarchies.
5. His book 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life' is considered a seminal text that laid the foundation for understanding identity and interaction in sociology.

Review Questions

• How does Goffman's concept of impression management relate to everyday interactions?
  • Goffman's concept of impression management highlights that in everyday interactions, individuals actively work to influence how others perceive them. This involves presenting themselves in ways that are socially acceptable and favorable, often adapting their behavior based on the context and audience. For example, someone might dress more formally for a job interview than they would for a casual outing, demonstrating how people adjust their presentation based on their goals and the expectations of their social environment.
• In what ways do Goffman's theories contribute to our understanding of politeness strategies in communication?
  • Goffman's theories contribute significantly to our understanding of politeness strategies by emphasizing the role of 'face' in interactions. When individuals communicate, they often seek to maintain their own face while also considering the face of others. This leads to the use of various politeness strategies, such as indirect speech acts or hedging, to mitigate potential threats to face and create a more harmonious interaction. His insights into face work provide a framework for analyzing how people navigate complex social dynamics through language.
• Evaluate the impact of Goffman's frame analysis on interactional sociolinguistics and its relevance today.
  • Goffman's frame analysis has profoundly impacted interactional sociolinguistics by providing a lens through which to understand how context shapes communication. By examining the frames individuals use to interpret situations, scholars can better grasp how cultural norms and social roles influence language use. Today, this relevance persists as researchers explore the complexities of identity, power dynamics, and cultural contexts in communication, showing that Goffman's insights remain crucial for analyzing modern interactions across diverse settings.

Related terms

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

Face Work: The actions taken to maintain a person's social dignity or 'face' during interactions, which is crucial in managing relationships and politeness.

Frame Analysis: A method proposed by Goffman to understand how individuals structure their experiences and interactions through particular frameworks or 'frames' that give context to social situations.