Self-Presentation

Outline of Theory

Goffman argues that in social interactions, individuals present themselves in such a way as to best further their own agendas within this interaction and interpret the self-presentation of others according to the same criteria.

Throughout his work on the subject, Goffman uses a theatrical metaphor: the dramaturgical approach. He suggests that a series of possible activities and occurrences by actors with associated prescribed roles make up a stage where dramatic action takes place. Individuals presenting themselves are thus playing roles, and there exist “backstage” areas in which the actor can step out of their role and be at ease. Self-presentation is likened to a performance, whereby individuals present themselves employing a repertoire of symbols.

Goffman also considers how self-presentation can also be subject to conflict. He considers that actors must keep control over what the audience sees, that this control may be broken through activities such as practical jokes, and that there are social consequences for the person presenting himself or herself if this should occur. In turn, these practices whereby the individual seeks to protect themselves, act to give the individual and their impressions a sense of security. Interaction thus appears as a game of maintaining impressions, and in turn probing the impressions presented by others, a practice Goffman terms impression management.

Finally, Goffman's later work on stigma deals with spoiled identity and the ways in which this can be managed, or not, to control the reactions of others. In Goffman's words, stigmatization relates to people attributing a negative identity to others through social interaction. Stigmatized individuals may try to remedy this through self-presentation (e.g., a criminal protesting his innocence), but the success of this depends on how convincing they are and how willing their audience is to believe them.

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