Question

Ch 4 Discussion Topic – Impression Management

Erving Goffman introduced the idea that in everyday life we perform our assigned roles, and he maintained that our social life was like a drama enacted on a stage.

Discuss his approach to the study of everyday life. Include in your discussion his ideas of front and back stage, as well as impression management. AND give an example of impression management you have engaged in recently in your own life and how it “fits” what Goffman was trying to describe.

Chapter 5: Discussion Topic – Groups

Discuss the major characteristics of primary groups, secondary groups, in-groups and out-groups and reference groups AND provide an example of each from your life.

Answer 1

Erving Hoffman introduced the concept of impression management which refers to people's efforts to project themselves, a product or even an event more appealing to others. However, Erving Hoffman's definition fits mostly to people's where they try to present themselves and their ideas impressively to others. He compares this to a theatre setup where people are different at the front stage and back stage. People are on thier own exhibiting their true self but when they get out to to the front stage, they start acting. Hoffman's idea can be seen in social interactions and more specifically, it is visible in social media where people present themselves in a different way to impress others which I too do. I update my Facebook photo and status very often to impress others.

In any given society there are groups that identify themselves with each other on various factor. For example, one might identify oneself with his own race, culture, ethnicity etc. with which one identifies oneself. In times of difficulty, they would lend their support and work with their own groups. Outgroup refers to the opposite characteristics of the ingroup. One do not identify oneself with an outgroup because of the difference in ideologies, identity etc.
Primary group refers to one's immediate and intimate circle such as, family, friends, classmates etc. with whom one is emotionally attached. They feel happy when they are together and share things and feelings in order to support each other without any expectations. Secondary groups are those that are professional where one becomes member but do not share any emotional bonding as they do with the primary group. They are mostly task based social groups. Membership in clubs, banks etc. fall in this category.

Thank you for your question. Please rate if you like the answer.