Goffman's Face-to-Face Communication

Paper Summary:

This paper identifies and discusses the various aspects of Erving Goffman's model of face-to-face communication, including impression management, discrediting information and group interaction or 'performance team'. The paper investigates these concepts and others as well as the concepts guiding the paper to the ultimate question of 'where or what is the real self?' The paper, considering Goffman's thoughts, attempts to answer this question.

From the Paper:

"For centuries philosophers have attempted to explain human face-to-face interaction. It is the human's desire for the fundamental answers of existence that explain this fact. Erving Goffman, a 20th Century sociologist, essentially found face-to-face communication to be a series of dramatic performances, not dissimilar to the performance of an actor or actress in a production. Thus, Goffman's 'dramaturgical' account of face-to-face communication was born. There are several aspects to Goffman's model of communication. Firstly, impression management is an important facet to investigate. Secondly, the relationship between revealing discrediting information and tactful blindness shown by the recipient is an interesting concept. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dawe, A. 1973, "The Underworld-View of Erving Goffman", The British journal of sociology, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 246-253.
• Goffman, E. 1956, "Embarrassment and Social Organization", The American Journal of Sociology, vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 264-271.
• Goffman, E. 1956, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life", pp. 81, 231
• Manning, P. 1991, "Drama as Life: The Significance of Goffman's Changing Use of the Theatrical Metaphor", Sociological Theory, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 70-86.
• Rawls, A.W. 1987, "The Interaction Order Sui Generis: Goffman's Contribution to Social Theory", Sociological Theory, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 136-149.

More papers on Goffman's Face-to-Face Communication:

• Book Review # 97840 : "Face to Face with God"
• Research Paper # 119657 : "Computer-Mediated Communication"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: