What is Erving Goffman's dramaturgical theory?
My dramaturgical theory posits that social life is akin to a theatrical performance. Individuals act as players on a social stage, engaged in the 'presentation of self.' We employ various 'fronts'—settings, appearance, manner—to manage the impressions others form of us. The goal is to maintain a consistent 'face,' a positive social identity, even when our private selves might differ. This involves techniques of impression management, where actors control information to define the situation and guide the understanding of the audience.
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