What is identity? why does identity matter and how much control do we have over our own identity? We all hold on to different values and standards which makes your identity unique to yourself. However, values and standards change and what we think might be a part of us today may change tomorrow hence, our identity is always progressing and changing. Erving Goffman is an American sociologist who argues that there are three types of identities, namely personal identity, social identity and ego identity. Firstly by personal identity Goffman refers to how a person possesses special traits or characteristics that makes them unique to themselves. This is the idea that no one else in the world can experience or replicate your life, which makes it unique to yourself. The type of job you do, the friends you go out with or specific likings you have are all part of you and what makes you different from others. Social identity described by Goffman is your most true self. An understanding of who you really are and eventually shaping yourself into what type of individual you want to be. This is the most authentic reflection of yourself. Ego Identity on the other hand is the opposite to your social identity. Goffman describes it as somewhat your most inauthentic self.
“When we come into the presence of others, we are required to put on a show in which we hope will gain the approval of others.”
Erving Goffman
Erving Goffman believes that there is no true self and the performative nature on how we socially interact in our everyday lives is dependent on the role of impression management. He further talks about this concept in his book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Lives. Published in 1959 Goffman argues that impression management is a focal point in everyone’s life not only for how people may perceive you or treat you but it’s essential as it’s part of how we socially interact with one another. Impression management is an ideology where it involves an individual to carry himself in a certain manner to shape the way other people see them. Goffman further argues that people want to depict a more positive and favourable image of themselves to be more sociably accepted, however this may not always reflect your true self. An interesting concept that Goffman talks about in his book is “frontstage” and “backstage.” The frontstage is where an individual performs and manages their social identity and actively engages himself in to impression management to create an image for themselves. Whereas, in the backstage that’s where an individual can be his truest self without having to worry of what others may think of him.
Impression management and Goffman’s work as a whole is a fundamental aspect of social life and can have a big impact on identity, social connections, and social structure. In the fields of communication studies, psychology, and sociology, Goffman’s work is still significant. It enables us to understand how people actively shape and control how other people perceive them in the complex world of social interactions.
References:
(No date) Goffman, Parsons, and the negational self – academicus. Available at: https://academicus.edu.al/nr11/Academicus-MMXV-11-011-031.pdf
Goffman, E. (1978) The presentation of self in everyday life. Penguin Books: Harmondsworth.
