The Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life by Erving Goffman
- 1. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, authored by sociologist Erving Goffman in 1956, is a seminal work that explores the intricacies of social interaction and the ways in which individuals curate their identities in various social contexts. Drawing upon the metaphor of a theatrical performance, Goffman argues that everyday interactions resemble a stage where individuals perform roles to convey specific impressions to others. He delves into concepts such as 'front stage' and 'back stage,' highlighting how people manage their appearances, demeanor, and expressions to align with social expectations and norms. Goffman's analysis reflects on the importance of context in shaping one’s identity, suggesting that the self is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid construct influenced by social interactions. He also introduces the idea of 'impression management,' where individuals actively seek to control how they are perceived by others, utilizing various strategies such as setting, presentation of self, and even deception. This work has had profound implications across sociology, psychology, and performance studies, prompting readers to reconsider the dynamics of authenticity, social roles, and the performative aspects of human behavior in both public and private spheres.
What is the 'backstage' region in Goffman's theory?
A) The main area where the performance is given
B) A place where the performer can relax and step out of character
C) A support system for failed performances
D) The historical context of a social role
- 2. According to Goffman, what is the fundamental purpose of this theatrical presentation of self?
A) To create artistic expression
B) To maintain social order and define situations
C) To achieve fame and recognition
D) To deceive others for personal gain
- 3. What is the 'idealization' of a performance?
A) Presenting an idealized version of reality to the audience
B) Thinking of the perfect thing to say after a conversation
C) The process of becoming a better person
D) A philosophical concept of perfect forms
- 4. A 'believeable' performance requires what?
A) Dramatic consistency
B) Extensive rehearsal
C) Professional training
D) A large audience
- 5. What does Goffman mean by 'region'?
A) A historical period in theater
B) A part of the brain responsible for social behavior
C) A geographical area with distinct customs
D) A place bounded by barriers to perception
- 6. What is a 'discrepant role'?
A) A role that contradicts one's personal beliefs
B) A character part that doesn't fit the actor
C) A job with inconsistent duties
D) A role where the individual has access to backstage information
- 7. What does Goffman call it when a performance is disrupted?
A) An incident
B) A breach
C) A catastrophe
D) A tragedy
- 8. What are 'appearance' and 'manner' components of?
A) The backstage region
B) Team collusion
C) The personal front
D) Dramatic realization
- 9. Goffman's work is a foundational text in which sociological approach?
A) Conflict theory
B) Symbolic interactionism
C) Functionalism
D) Feminist theory
- 10. What is the primary unit of analysis in Goffman's dramaturgy?
A) The social encounter or situation
B) Economic class structures
C) The individual psyche
D) Large-scale social institutions
- 11. Goffman suggests that the self is:
A) A fixed and unchanging essence within each person
B) A purely biological construction
C) An illusion that doesn't really exist
D) A product of the scene that emerges from the performance
- 12. According to Goffman, what is the term for the effort an individual makes to maintain the impression they are trying to project?
A) Social engineering
B) Behavioral conditioning
C) Character acting
D) Impression management
- 13. What does Goffman call the specific physical space where a performance takes place?
A) A zone
B) A platform
C) A region
D) A set
- 14. What is the term for expressions that others can see as symptomatic of the actor?
A) Involuntary leakage
B) Unconscious tells
C) Expressions given off
D) Reflexive actions
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