Social Theorists
Erving Goffman
Sociology
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Erving Goffman (1922-1982) was a Canadian-American sociologist and one of the most influential social theorists of the twentieth century, known for his close, often literary analysis of everyday face-to-face interaction. His 1956 book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life introduced 'dramaturgy,' the idea that social life resembles theatrical performance, with individuals managing 'front stage' and 'back stage' impressions to influence how others perceive them. In Asylums (1961) he developed the concept of the 'total institution,' and in Stigma (1963) he examined how people manage identities that are socially discredited. Goffman held positions at Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania and served as president of the American Sociological Association.
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Birth DateSourced to the subject's own account Birth YearSourced to the subject's own account Death DateSourced to the subject's own account Death YearSourced to the subject's own account BirthplaceSourced to the subject's own accountMannville, Alberta, Canada 1 Death PlaceSourced to the subject's own accountPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States 1 Nationality / CultureSourced to the subject's own account Defining ContributionSourced to the subject's own accountHe developed the dramaturgical analysis of social interaction, treating everyday encounters as staged performances, and introduced the influential concepts of the 'total institution' and stigma management. 1 Notable WorkSourced to the subject's own accountThe Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1956); Asylums (1961); Stigma (1963); Interaction Ritual (1967); Frame Analysis (1974) 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
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