...a potentially large audience instantaneously (Dominick, 1999). Social network sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, provide users with an opportunity to create online profiles where they can post pictures and information that cultivate an online identity (Bond, 2009). The scope of online self-presentation has drastically changed over the years. In its infancy, the Internet was seen as an “identity laboratory,” where individuals could experiment with their identity by creating fictitious, and possibly multiple, selves (Toma & Hancock, 2010). This identity experimentation was made possible by the anonymity that online ONLINE MORMON SELF-PRESENTATION 9 spaces provided. However, with the passage of time and developing technologies, the Internet now provides several highly personalized environments. In these online personalized spaces, users construct accurate and realistic self-presentations in order to accomplish interpersonal goals (McKenna & Bargh, 2000; Toma & Hancock, 2010). For example, users might use Facebook to connect with real-life friends, network with or contact employers via LinkedIn, or find love on Match.com. With anonymity removed, users must carefully manage self- presentations in order to advance real-life agendas (Toma & Hancock, 2010). Via the Internet, a large variety of information is shared. Research has found that individuals share personal information on the Internet pertaining to hobbies, interests, and friendships (Stern, 2004). In addition, more personal...
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...Erving, Goffman. 1959. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, New York:p 1-16. _____________________________________________________________________ Goffman analyses the study of everyday life through the perspective that, ones actions cannot be purely acted out for the sake of that action, but rather all actions are “social performances” (Goffman 1959). Three main ideas central to Goffman’s argument (within the prescribed pages 1-16) include; the differences between the two forms of expression amongst social interaction, the symmetry and asymmetry between these two forms of expression, as well as the level of agreement referred to by Goffman as the “working consensus” (Goffman 1959:p10). According to Goffman, an individual’s expressiveness is portrayed in two different forms of communication, “the expression that he gives, and the expression that he gives off (Goffman, 1959:p2). Through the use of language, verbal communication is the first form as it is the traditional and intended form of expression. Non-verbal communication in most situations is the unintentional form of expression whereby the individual is able to communicate through their physical facial and body actions, Goffman’s expresses that the “expectation being the action was carried out for reasons other than the information conveyed in this way”(Goffman 1959:p2). This also suggests that an individual can present misinformation or ‘half truths’ by the use of both types of communication, “the first...
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...Self-presentation is vital to our society, without it, we would present ourselves to everyone in very unprofessional ways. This is the reason we act formal when we are around people who are our superior, and why we can be informal when we are around close friends. Self-presentation is also important because it determines someone’s first impression about you. When meeting someone for the first time we are likely to treat the situation in a formal matter to make a good impression. After establishing a relationship, we can decide whether to continue a formal relationship or establish an informal one. In David Leviathan’s book “Everyday” we are introduced to a character who goes by the name of “A”. this character has no gender and they wake up...
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...others is of importance in social settings and interpersonal relations and thus tends to affect human lives. As individuals experience diverse social situations from the moment they step out of the house until the evening, people often carry themselves in a way that ensures others perceive them positively. Individuals draw trait assumptions from the appearance of subjects including facial appearance and body posture among others. A short time of contact and exposure correlates with the judgment made by others, demonstrating that exposure time is sufficient for individuals to form an impression. This paper discusses the concept of first impression and how they are perceived and incorporates tactics such as IM (Impression Management), self-presentation, and interview impressions. Discussion A first impression entails to an event of when a person encounters another individual and develops a mental perception and image of the subject. The first impression depends on the target and the observer, and it is based on a variety of factors including age, languages, genders, physical appearance, voice, posture, accent, time...
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...Abstract This paper is a personal response to Erving Goffman’s article, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. It contains the various ideas and interpretations on Goffman’s as well as my own ideas of a personal front or an act that everyone in society displays for multiple reasons such as being socially acceptable or for more personal reasons such as fear. It also discusses the background of why people in society portray different versions of themselves depending on their surroundings or audience in reference to Goffman’s ideas. Keywords: front, personal front, audience, society We are all actors. We are not all famous and we don’t receive million dollar checks but we are all actors. Our character depends on who our observers are; these observers vary between close friends and family or strangers that we want to impress. The type of character we are depends on our constantly changing audience and we put on a front so that people will believe in our “fake selves”. The way that we “set our stage” is the first part of our act but once the observers leave, we go back to our normal selves, unseen by others. We can tell a personality by their room. We tend to focus on having the trendy possessions that make us socially acceptable because it gives us the feeling of stability. Erving Goffman used the example of a higher civil servant in Britain, stating that the people of higher status are part of luxurious clubs but these people are not always wealthy, they are equal...
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...In this reading by sociologist Erving Goffman, Presentation of self in everyday life, written in 1959 Goffman uses a comparison between theater and society to clearly convey the importance of human interactions. He uses imagery to clearly display the similarities between "actors" on a stage playing a role and how this compares to the interactions we face on a day-to-day basis. The first term Goffman uses in helping us understand the importance of face-to face interaction is definition of the situation. He defines this as "enabling others to know in advance what he will expect of them and what they may expect of him" (Goffman, 1959). He states that people gather information about other to help them to know what to say and or do to get a reaction...
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...In The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life Goffman states that when an individual interacts with people, the individual will try to control the impression that others make of them, by altering their setting, appearance and manner. At the same time, the person an individual is interacting with is trying to construct information about the individual. A person’s motive is to “control the definitions of the scene for the audience, so that they will respond accordingly”. I found this concept to be an important aspect of socialization in everyday life. I thought Goffman's concept of dramaturgy was compelling taking all elements of a theatre performance into consideration, Such as social setting, appearance and manner to convey information about...
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...menace rationally is a fundamental objective to define the nature of the new relationships. Hence, when an entrant would be examined according to its physical appearance, then its character would be brought into environmental setting. This expression mentions the importance of the first impression concept. Moreover, it is a process which must be carefully managed (Jacobsen and Kristiansen 132). According to Coffman, five main self-perception approaches are always seen in an individual who has just secured a new job in a given work institution. These are; 1. Self-disclosure- In this method a newly employed person tends to seek identity from others thus commonly used by the authentic persona. For instance, telling others who he or she in the workplace and what role does he or she plays, just for identity. 2. Appearance management - This approach entails outward appearance, e.g., mode of dressing that makes an individual feel that he or she fits in a team of other workers. Always used by tactical, ideal and even authentic persona, the same also aims at gaining self-identity. Additionally, a...
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...Universitatea București Facultatea de Sociologie și Asistență Socială Specializarea Sociologie Communication Out of Character Made by: Durbacă Eduard,Sociologie,Seria I,Grupa 3 Coordinator: Ghișoiu Claudia The book I chose to discuss in the following essay is “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” , and I have selected in particular the chapter speaking about “Communication Out of Character”. This is the first book to highlight the face-to-face interaction as a subject studied by a sociologist.Erving Goffman believes that when a person comes into direct contact with another individual , specifically a face-to-face one , they will try to impress one another and maintain that immage as log as it’s neccesary , thus underlining the idea that every individual is represented by a character who plays his own role on stage. My chosen chapter “Communication Out of Character” ecompasses the whole spectrum of communication such as : verbal and non verbal communication (gestures,facial expressions,microexpressions as well as the tone of voice).As the title suggest , it speaks about individuals communicating out of their role/status and is supported by numerous examples which highlight many inappropriate types of communication for individuals.Also this chapter is divided into four subchapters : “Treatment of the Absent”, “Staging Talk”, “Team Collusion”, “Realigning Actions”. Even from the beginning of the...
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...Leah Patterson Theory Thursday – Impression Management Theory Professor Smith Comm-3330.BO1 February 18, 2016 We are all like actors and actresses playing a role, according to the impression management theory. Erving Goffman’s theory is that we all act differently in different settings. A person has the ability to choose the person that they want to present to certain social groups. A person can be an actor or actress, yet can also be their own “audience” at the same time. Goffman referrers the ability as using “front-stage ” and “back-stage” behavior as we create identities to fit into social groups, and often present different identities in each social or group setting. Impression management is used as an attempt to influence perceptions of oneself to others. Or to persuade a group as to the person you are, or rather the person you want them to think you are. There are three setting in which a person will IM in. The basic setting that a person will use this sort of impression management is in the work life. A person will present an image to those that they work with, that they probably, and more likely, do not show with their family and close friends. A person can use this sort of behavior to set an image of oneself to the people that they work around. One is motivated by their desire to create a positive image, and take the steps to create an identity to fit the role of their desired status in the work environment. I have personally learned over the years in former...
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...the dominance of doctors; and instead looks towards the individual’s understanding of his/her illness. The definition of health looks to the wellness of the mind, body, and spirit, allowing for the emphasis of individual responsibility. Studies regarding mindfulness as a form of alternative medicine have provided scientifically proven evidence on the effectiveness of holistic treatment. There are many different forms of holistic treatment including, meditation, mindfulness, one-to-one discussion, group discussions, and yoga. Neuropsychological studies have revealed that mindfulness can, in fact, change the structure of the brain, and therefore are associated with, “increased learning and memory capacity (Holzel et al., 2011b), (ii) improved self-regulatory efficacy, and (iii) greater interoceptive awareness” (Shonin, Gordon 846). Studies have also considered various mechanisms in which mindfulness can improve mental health. The evidence-based mechanisms “suggest that mindfulness targets...
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...Dramaturgy Everyday we play different roles in society. There are different sides that we show to each individual we encounter based on what their roles are in our lives. In this paper, I will discuss the sociological perspective known as dramaturgy. I will describe my front and back stages. My use of impression management will be discussed as well as why we use this form of management. Being social beings on the stage of life, we must play our parts accordingly. Dramaturgy is one social perspective that revolves around role playing. This theory says that we are like actors on a stage and we take on many roles when we interact with others. We constantly change our role (character) when we meet new people. There are two stages associated with dramaturgy and they are the front and back stages. The front stage is the stage where actions are visible to the audience and are part of the performance. Everyday my life is filled with front stages. My office where I work as a Correctional Records Technician serves as one of my front stages. It is there where I assist a multitude of public citizens on a daily basis. My home is another front stage. This is where I take on the role of head of household. The back stage is where performers are present but audience is not, and the performers can step out of character without fear of disrupting the performance. When I get into my car and turn the radio on and hear a song with a nice beat, I start singing and moving to the beat. My car serves...
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...Dramaturgy→ Sociologist Erving Goffman developed the concept of dramaturgy, the idea that life is like a never-ending play in which people are actors. Goffman believed that when we are born, we are thrust onto a stage called everyday life, and that our socialization consists of learning how to play our assigned roles from other people. We enact our roles in the company of others, who are in turn enacting their roles in interaction with us. He believed that whatever we do, we are playing out some role on the stage of life. Goffman distinguished between front stages and back stages. During our everyday life, we spend most of our lives on the front stage, where we get to deliver our lines and perform. A wedding is a front stage. A classroom lectern is a front stage. A dinner table can be a front stage. Almost any place where we act in front of others is a front stage. Sometimes we are allowed to retreat to the back stages of life. In these private areas, we don’t have to act. We can be our real selves. We can also practice and prepare for our return to the front stage. Impression Management Goffman coined the term impression management to refer to our desire to manipulate others’ impressions of us on the front stage. According to Goffman, we use various mechanisms, called sign vehicles, to present ourselves to others. The most commonly employed sign vehicles are the following: Social setting Appearance Manner of interacting Social Setting The social setting is...
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...affect an individuals self presentation The different factors that might affect an individuals self presentation can vary from gender, self esteem, roles, age and ideal self. Self presentation is the way you present yourself to other people and so this can depend on who you are with. This can also link with Cooley’s looking glass theory where he argued that our self-image is shaped by how we think other people perceive us. According to Yeung et al, there are three stages in the formation of what Cooley called the ‘looking-glass self’ – 1. We imagine how we appear to others 2. We imagine how others judge us on the basis of that appearance 3. We develop a self-image through those imagined judgements. This can be based on our self-esteem depending if we have high or low self-esteem. If we have high self-esteem then we are going to feel good about ourselves and have a different judgement of how others see us compared to those who have low self-esteem. The way we think others see us can sometimes be either correct or incorrect. We can find this out by getting feedback from friends/family. High and low self-esteem can vary depending on who you are with, feedback and sometimes the clothes you’re wearing or hairstyle. For example, if you have new clothes or a new hairstyle then this can make you feel good and have high self-esteem or if you have a bad hairstyle then this will most likely give you low self-esteem. If you look up to someone (ideal self) are associated with...
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...The Self PSY/555 April 15, 2013 Dr. Anthony The Self The development of the self involves several interacting factors. Each of these factors contributes to ultimately determine one’s self-concept as well as self-esteem and self-presentation. The essential purpose of this paper is to define the concept of the self including how each individual develops a self-concept. Furthermore, the relationship between the self and emotion and how this relationship affects an individual’s self-esteem will be examined. Finally, an analysis will be provided of the relationship between the self and behavior and how this relationship affects and individual’s self-presentation. The concept of the self lies within an individual’s reality of behavior and numerous representations, perceptions, and schemas that encompass human thought processes. The self is said to exist within a framework of social interactions in which one engages in regular contact with other selves (Myers, 2008). To understand the concept of the self, one must comprehend how one’s self-concept is developed within each individual. Development of Self-Concept An individual’s self-concept is described as the perception one has of oneself and who they are in relation to the world around them. According to Myers (2008), it is the piecing together of the potential answers to the question ‘who am I?’ that constitute one’s complete self-concept. The self-concept is also comprised of self-schemas, which can be described as one’s...
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