Erving Goffman

Definition

Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life, particularly how individuals manage their identity in social interactions. His theories emphasize the importance of context in shaping human behavior, highlighting how social norms and institutions influence individual actions and self-presentation. This focus on identity and interaction connects to broader discussions about institutional critique, examining how structures of power and societal expectations shape personal experiences and public performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Goffman's key work, 'The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life,' emphasizes how individuals actively construct their identities through social interactions.
2. He introduced the concept of 'facework,' which refers to the efforts individuals make to maintain a positive self-image and protect their social identity during interactions.
3. Goffman's analysis of stigma highlights how society labels certain individuals based on attributes they cannot control, impacting their social acceptance.
4. In 'Asylums,' Goffman explores total institutions and how they strip away individual identity, forcing residents to adapt to rigid roles imposed by the institution.
5. Goffman's theories remain influential in understanding the relationship between personal identity and societal structures, particularly in performance art and activism.

Review Questions

• How does Goffman's concept of dramaturgical analysis help us understand social interactions?
  • Goffman's concept of dramaturgical analysis likens social interactions to theatrical performances, where individuals adopt different roles depending on their audience. This metaphor illustrates how people manage their self-presentation, adjusting their behavior and identity based on social expectations and contexts. By viewing social life through this lens, we can better grasp the complexities of human interactions and the significance of context in shaping our identities.
• Discuss the implications of Goffman's idea of stigma for marginalized groups in society.
  • Goffman's idea of stigma has profound implications for marginalized groups, as it highlights how society's labeling can lead to exclusion and discrimination. Individuals who possess a stigmatized attribute may experience a loss of social acceptance and face challenges in self-presentation due to societal judgments. This understanding encourages a critical examination of how institutional structures reinforce stigmatization and the need for advocacy to challenge these perceptions.
• Evaluate how Goffman's insights into total institutions inform our understanding of power dynamics within societal structures.
  • Goffman's insights into total institutions provide a lens through which we can evaluate power dynamics within societal structures. By examining environments where individuals have limited agency, like prisons or mental hospitals, we see how institutional control can strip away personal identity and autonomy. This analysis reveals the broader implications for how societal norms shape individual behavior and reinforces the need for institutional critique as a means of advocating for change and recognizing the complexities of identity within oppressive systems.

Related terms

Dramaturgical Analysis: A framework developed by Goffman that compares social interactions to theatrical performances, where individuals present themselves in different ways depending on their audience.

Stigma: A concept introduced by Goffman that refers to an attribute that is deeply discrediting, which can lead to social exclusion or discrimination against individuals.

Total Institutions: Organizations that control all aspects of an individual's life, such as prisons or mental hospitals, which Goffman studied to understand the dynamics of identity and power.