W4.1 March 25 (Mon)Thoughts after Reading—MU QING

 

Erving Goffman, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" Thoughts after Reading



"The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" is one of Erving Goffman's classic works. I read several chapters according to the professor's course schedule. This book explores how individuals present themselves in various ways and how this presentation affects social interactions and impression management. The book's themes span the fields of social psychology, microsociology, and symbolic interactionism, providing in-depth insights into human behavior.


I thought this book was very interesting because it provides a unique perspective on human behavior and social interactions. Goffman illustrates his theory with vivid examples and observations.


First, Goffman conducted an in-depth study of people's self-presentation in social interactions from a social perspective. He believes that in daily life, people will adopt corresponding self-presentation strategies according to different occasions and interpersonal relationships to win the recognition and respect of others. For example, in the workplace, people need to present a professional and stable image, while in their circle of friends or at home, they pay more attention to a relaxed and comfortable appearance. This process is not only self-shaping, but also the inheritance and expression of social norms.


Secondly, Goffman compared self-presentation in life to drama. He believed that everyone plays different roles and performs different dramas in daily life. In this process, contradictions and coordination arise between the individual self and society's expectations. Sometimes, people need to conceal their true emotions and attitudes and show a different self from their inner self; sometimes, they need to express their true thoughts and emotions. Such a process reflects the constant game and interaction between self, society and even others.


Finally, Goffman's book also reminds us that self-presentation is not false and artificial, vain and deceptive. On the contrary, it is a natural process of interaction between individuals and society, and sometimes it is more of an expression and creation. In the process of self-presentation, people can better explore their own resources and potential, and establish more harmonious relationships with others based on their own characteristics and advantages.



However, Goffman's theory is also somewhat difficult, especially when reading this article. His ideas and terminology may take some time and effort to fully understand. However, once you grasp his theoretical framework, you will find the concepts very enlightening and applicable to daily life and practical research.


However, despite its difficulty, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life is a valuable book for students of the social sciences. It provides an in-depth and comprehensive theoretical framework to help us understand the nature of human behavior and the laws of social interaction. Goffman's ideas are of great significance to students in psychology, sociology, anthropology and other fields. By studying this book, we can think more deeply about issues such as self-expression, social behavior, and social roles, thereby expanding our academic vision and analytical abilities. Therefore, I think "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" is a very good book worth reading for social science students in the 2020s.


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