Chapter 6C: Goffman

Dramaturgical Theory
- Concept based on the analogy of actors performing on a stage, suggesting that societal interactions resemble a theatrical performance.
- In this view, society is likened to a theater where individuals (performers) control their self-presentation (positive and negative aspects).
Self Presentation
- Involves managing how we are perceived by others, with two components:
- Positive Self-Presentation: Efforts to present oneself attractively.
- Negative Self-Presentation: Efforts to conceal undesirable attributes.
Front Stage vs. Back Stage
- Front Stage: The setting where individuals perform and shape others’ perceptions.
- Back Stage: The area where individuals can drop their public persona and be their true selves.
Impression Management
- The process by which individuals try to influence how they are perceived by others through various strategies and behaviors.
Elements of Dramaturgical Theory:
- Setting, Appearance, Manners, Roles.

Theatrical Representation of Life
- Comprised of both front stage and back stage elements.
- Utilizes impression management as a tool for presentation.

Understanding Social Interaction
- Dramaturgy serves as a framework for understanding social interactions, portraying them as performances on a stage.
- Every social encounter is comparable to a drama where individuals wear masks in their relationships.

Biography
- Born on June 11, 1922, in Canada, Goffman was a Canadian-American sociologist.
Influence
- Regarded as a pioneer of micro-sociology and symbolic interactionism.
- His work significantly contributed to the Chicago school of sociology.

Key Concepts from Goffman’s Theory
- Human beings continuously perform roles and manage impressions of themselves.
- This concept emphasizes the importance of face work and how individuals present themselves in social situations.

Influence and Publication
- Goffman, as an influential figure, published "Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" in 1959, formalizing the application of dramaturgy to social analysis.
- His work parallels theater acts with day-to-day interactions, highlighting the performance aspect of social life.

Social Performances
- Human interaction is viewed as social performances crafted to maintain self-image and seek social validation.
- These performances function based on a shared understanding of social roles and expectations.

Positive vs. Negative Self-Presentation
- Positive self-presentation aims to portray individuals as socially desirable.
- Negative self-presentation involves concealing undesirable traits.
Examples of Application in Daily Life
- Job Interview Performance:
- Candidates may feel pressured to present their best selves, akin to actors trying to impress an audience.
- Classroom Performance:
- Students engage in behaviors influenced by the desire to achieve good grades or demonstrate knowledge.

Analogy in the Nature of Social Interaction
- Goffman argues that social interactions can be interpreted as theatrical performances where individuals play specific roles.

Structure of Interaction
- Relates ordinary human interactions to the setup of a play.
- Actors and Audience:
- Individuals (actors) are performing for observers (audience) in various social settings.

Conceptual Framework
- Front stage is where the performance occurs; actors are mindful of audience perceptions.
- Example: A confident professor presenting formally during lectures.
- Back stage is where individuals can be informal and shed their public performance.
- Example: A professor being casual and less organized at home.

Behavioral Aspects
- Front stage behaviors are observable and part of the performance, contrasting with back stage behaviors, where individuals are free from public scrutiny.
- Emphasizes the duality of self and varying expressions of identity across different contexts.

Depth of Goffman’s Concept
- Extends Cooley’s looking-glass self concept, emphasizing active efforts to control perceptions.
- People present themselves not as they are, but as they wish to be perceived.
Definition and Dynamics
- Impression management refers to strategies employed to influence others' perceptions, encompassing characteristics such as abilities and emotional reactions.
- Differentiates between positive and negative self-presentation.

Front Stage Components
- Include setting, appearance, manners, and roles.
Setting
- Refers to the physical space necessary for performance, e.g., an operating room for a surgeon.
Appearance
- Self-image presented to others; Goffman notes: "Appearance is that which accounts for how others see and expect us."
Manner
- Physical mannerisms and demeanor presented in social contexts.
Roles
- Individuals enact various roles depending on the social situation, with each role carrying expectations or “scripts.”

Idealized Performances
- Goffman’s insights highlight the need for individuals to conceal certain aspects to maintain a favorable portrayal, merely acting in social settings.

Definition
- Back stage experiences are distinct from front stage, allowing individuals relief from performance and social pressure.

Dual Lives of Individuals
- According to Goffman, people navigate both a visible front stage where they manage impressions and a back stage where they are unobserved.
Application of Dramaturgical Analysis
- This approach provides valuable understanding of behavior in social contexts, elucidating the complexity of interpersonal interactions.

Historical Development of Self-concept
- Investigate the contributions of Mead, Cooley, and Goffman to the development of the self-concept.
Influence of Dramaturgy
- Analyze how individuals use elements of dramaturgy to influence others’ perceptions through impression management.
Case Study Application
- Conduct a dramaturgical analysis of an ice-cream vendor, outlining the front and back stage interactions as well as impression management strategies employed.