Erving Goffman
Erving Goffman: A Sociologist's Insight into Human Interaction
Full Name and Common Aliases
Erving Goffman was born as Izevelevich Grigorii in 1922 in the city of Vinnitsa, Ukraine. His family later immigrated to Canada when he was 12 years old, where he adopted the name Erving Goffman.
Birth and Death Dates
Goffman was born on June 11, 1922, and passed away on November 19, 1982.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Erving Goffman was a Canadian-American sociologist. He is widely recognized for his work in the field of sociology, particularly in the areas of social psychology, anthropology, and symbolic interactionism.
Early Life and Background
Goffman grew up in a family that encouraged intellectual pursuits from an early age. His father, who later changed their last name to Goffman, was a Jewish immigrant who worked as a tailor. Erving's interest in the human condition began at a young age, influenced by his experiences growing up in Canada during the Great Depression.
Goffman attended the University of Manitoba, where he studied sociology and anthropology. He eventually transferred to the University of Chicago, earning his master's degree in 1949 and Ph.D. in 1953. His academic work laid the foundation for a career that would explore the intricacies of human interaction and social behavior.
Major Accomplishments
Goffman is best known for his groundbreaking research on social interaction, which challenged traditional notions of individualism and emphasized the importance of relationships and social context in shaping our experiences. Some of his key accomplishments include:
Developing the concept of "dramaturgy," which views human behavior as a performance that involves strategic manipulation of impressions to achieve desired outcomes.
Identifying the "front stage" and "backstage" areas of social interaction, where individuals present themselves in distinct ways depending on their audience and circumstances.
Examining the role of institutions, such as hospitals and prisons, in shaping individual behavior and experiences.Notable Works or Actions
Goffman's work has had a profound impact on various fields, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, and education. Some of his notable works include:
The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959): This book introduced the concept of dramaturgy and explored how individuals present themselves to others.
Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates (1961): Goffman's critique of institutional settings, where he exposed the ways in which institutions can distort individual behavior and experiences.
Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity (1963): This book examined how individuals manage stigma and social identity.
Impact and Legacy
Goffman's work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of human interaction, social behavior, and institutional dynamics. His theories have been applied in various fields, including:
Sociology: Goffman's ideas have influenced the development of sociological theory, particularly in the areas of symbolic interactionism and microsociology.
Psychology: His work on stigma and self-presentation has informed our understanding of mental health, identity, and interpersonal relationships.
* Education: Goffman's critiques of institutional settings have led to reforms in educational institutions, highlighting the need for more inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Erving Goffman is widely quoted and remembered due to his insightful contributions to our understanding of human interaction and social behavior. His work continues to influence contemporary thought and practice across various fields, making him one of the most important sociologists of the 20th century.
Goffman's legacy extends beyond academia, as his ideas have shaped public discourse on issues such as mental health, stigma, and institutional reform. His work remains relevant today, offering valuable insights into the complexities of human interaction and social behavior.
In conclusion, Erving Goffman was a pioneering sociologist who transformed our understanding of human interaction and social behavior. His groundbreaking research continues to inspire new generations of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working to create more inclusive and supportive societies.
Quotes by Erving Goffman
The term stigma and its synonyms conceal a double perspective: does the stigmatized individual assume his differentness is known about already or is evident on the spot, or does he assume it is neither known about by those present nor immediately perceivable by them?
When a stranger comes into our presence, then, first appearances are likely to enable us to anticipate his category and attributes, his 'social identity' - to use a term that is better than 'social status' because personal attributes such as 'honesty' are involved, as well as structural ones, like 'occupation.'
The routines of social intercourse in established settings allow us to deal with anticipated others without special attention or thought.
There is a close meshing with the ritual properties of persons and with the egocentric forms of territoriality.
I assume that the proper study of interaction is not the individual and his psychology, but rather the syntactical relations among the acts of different persons mutually present to another.
By definition, of course, we believe the person with a stigma is not quite human. On this assumption we exercise varieties of discrimination, through which we effectively, if often unthinkingly, reduce his life chances.
The act of staring is a thing which one does not ordinarily do to another human being; it seems to put the object stared at in a class apart. One does not talk to a monkey in a zoo, or to a freak in a sideshow – one only stares.
Morning and lunchtime are times when anyone can appear alone almost anywhere without this giving evidence of how the person is faring in the social world; dinner and other evening activities, however, provide unfavorable information about unaccompanied participants, especially damaging in the case of female participants.
For years the scar, harelip or misshapen nose has been looked on as a handicap, and its importance in the social and emotional adjustment is unconsciously all embracing. It is the “hook” on which the patient has hung all inadequacies, all dissatisfactions, all procrastinations and all unpleasant duties of social life, and he has come to depend on it not only as a reasonable escape from competition but as a protection from social responsibility.
Whether an honest performer wishes to convey the truth or whether a dishonest performer wishes to convey a falsehood, both must take care to enliven their performances with appropriate expressions, exclude from their performances expressions that might discredit the impression being fostered, and take care lest the audience impute unintended meanings.