Dramaturgical Perspective

• Goffman investigated social interaction as though it were a theatrical performance:

  • Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
  • front stage and back stage
  • impression management
  • tact

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Goffman’s book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life explains how people present themselves to others with the objective of creating an impression (impression management.) Goffman says we construct these performances to project the best image possible (idealization.) Front stage performances are those that take place in public; backstage performances take place out of site of all but the most immediate and/or intimate of acquaintances. In general, people will attempt, in their performances, to support the performances of others- help others to save face.