# Symbolic Interactionism Erving Goffman (1922–1982) was a Canadian sociologist best known for his work on symbolic interactionism and the study of social life as a kind of theatrical performance. His most influential book, _The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life_ (1956), introduced the concept of dramaturgy, where he argued that people manage their self-image in social interactions as if they were performing roles on a stage. #### **Key Concepts in Goffman’s Work:** • **Dramaturgy** – Social interactions are performances where individuals present themselves in certain ways to influence how others [[Perception|perceive]] them. • **Frontstage & Backstage** – The _frontstage_ is where individuals perform according to social expectations (e.g., a waiter acting polite in front of customers), while the _backstage_ is where they can relax and drop the performance (e.g., the same waiter complaining in the staff room). • **Impression Management** – People consciously or unconsciously [[Control]] their behaviour and appearance to shape how others see them. • **Stigma (1963)** – He explored how [[Society]] labels and treats individuals with perceived ‘spoiled identities,’ such as those with disabilities or criminal records. • **Frame Analysis (1974)** – He examined how people interpret social experiences using ‘frames,’ or mental structures, to make sense of the world. Goffman’s work has had a lasting influence on [[Sociology]], [[Psychology]], and even fields like marketing and performance studies. His focus on the small details of everyday life helped redefine how we understand identity, power, and social interaction. # Status Erving Goffman's work is deeply related to the idea of status, particularly how individuals manage and perform their identity in relation to societal expectations. His concept of **impression management** highlights how people tailor their behaviour, appearance, and speech to maintain or enhance their social status. This aligns with Elizabeth Gilbert's idea of rejecting societal judgments--she advocates for creative freedom and authenticity over external validation, while Goffman describes the social pressures that make such rejection difficult. #### **How Goffman's Work Relates to Status and Gilbert's Ideas:** 1. **Status as a Performance** Goffman argues that much of social life is a performance where people play roles to fit into societal expectations. Status is often maintained by adhering to these roles. In contrast, Gilbert's perspective encourages stepping away from this performance to pursue genuine creative passions, even if it means losing traditional markers of success. 1. **Frontstage vs. Backstage** Goffman's idea of _frontstage_ behaviour (where we present ourselves in ways that conform to expectations) is similar to the way people curate their lives to maintain status. _Backstage_ is where a person's true self can emerge. Gilbert's philosophy encourages people to live more in their _backstage_ selves, making art and decisions based on personal meaning rather than public approval. 1. **Breaking Free from Status Anxiety** Goffman's work implies that people are constantly negotiating their status through interactions, worrying about how they are perceived. Gilbert's approach, particularly in _Big Magic_, suggests that this anxiety is an obstacle to creativity. She encourages embracing curiosity and imperfection rather than striving for socially approved success. #### **The Tension Between Social Reality and Personal Fulfilment** While Gilbert's ideas are aspirational--rejecting external validation in favour of personal meaning--Goffman's work suggests that status and societal judgments are unavoidable because they structure social life. His perspective would imply that even those who try to reject social roles are still, in a way, performing a new role: the _rebel_ or the _outsider_. If you're thinking about these ideas in relation to your own creative work, it might be interesting to explore how much of your artistic identity feels shaped by external expectations versus personal passion. Goffman helps explain the pull of status, while Gilbert offers a way to push back against it. `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`