Question

What is the process of impression management according to Goffman?

Answer 1

Erving Goffman introduced the term Impression Management which explains the concept of influencing others through symbolic interactions. Persuading others with one’s point of view is the conscious and unconscious process that all the human beings deploy at various stages of their lives at various levels.

A man try to impress a woman, companies that persuade people through their impressive advertisements and political leaders who deliver their speeches in the hope of converting them into votes all employ impression management thus affecting the beliefs and behaviors of others come under impression management.

Impression management is also viewed as self-presentation where people present themselves in a way to impress others thus getting things done in favor of them. Interviews, selection processes for various sports, arts etc. come under this category where one exhibits oneself in a convincing way to be selected.