Week4(extra credit1)Goffman’s book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.(Everyday Life and Social Structure)- CHEN SIYU 진사우

 Summary:

In "Self-Presentation in Daily Life", sociologist Goffman employs dramatic metaphors to liken social life to a stage performance. He believes that people play different "roles" in their daily interactions, much like actors do, depending on the "situation." We showcase the image we want others to see at the "front desk," while in the "backstage," we remove our disguises to reveal our true selves.

Goveman emphasizes that the self is not fixed but a result of continuously constructed interactions. He introduced the core concept of "impression management," which refers to individuals consciously adjusting their behavior, language, and external expressions in order to control how others perceive them.

Interesting points:

Goffman divides human behavior into "front-end" and "back-end," which is very inspiring for explaining our self-switching in different contexts. For example, the server greets customers with a smile (in the front desk), but in the kitchen, they might remain expressionless and even complain about the customers (in the background). This difference reveals how we adjust our behavior according to societal expectations.Moreover, Goffman focuses on moments that may seem trivial but are extremely "real," such as awkward moments in social settings, saying the wrong thing, or dressing improperly. He believes these "mistakes" can lead to a loss of control, thereby exposing our high dependence on "maintaining performance."

Discussion:

Goffman's theory offers a unique perspective on observing human behavior. He does not emphasize institutions or structures as much as traditional sociology, but instead focuses on microscopic everyday interactions. This "dramatic" perspective not only helps us understand the essence of interpersonal interactions but also aids us in reflecting on the multifaceted nature of the "self."

However, some critics argue that Goffman places too much emphasis on performance and strategy, neglecting the authenticity of human emotions and individual autonomy. He seems to view every interaction as a calculation, which may underestimate the possibility of genuine human communication. Moreover, while Goffman's theory is straightforward and easy to understand, it rarely addresses broader social differences such as gender, class, and culture.

Despite this, "Self-Presentation in Daily Life" is undoubtedly a highly inspiring sociological classic that reminds us that even the most ordinary daily behaviors can conceal complex social implications.