1. (c) How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life? (2023/P1/10/Society)

  • The dramaturgical perspective, developed by sociologist Erving Goffman, provides a theatrical metaphor to understand social interactions and everyday life. This perspective suggests that individuals engage in "impression management," presenting themselves to others as if they were actors on a stage. Here are several ways in which the dramaturgical perspective enhances our understanding of everyday life:
  • Front Stage and Back Stage:
  • Goffman introduces the concept of front stage and back stage. The front stage is where individuals perform and present themselves to others, using various props, costumes, and behaviors to create a specific impression.

  • The back stage is the private realm where individuals can be themselves, away from the public gaze. Understanding this duality helps explain how people manage their social roles and maintain a sense of self in different situations.
  • Impression Management:
  • People engage in impression management to control the way others perceive them. This involves carefully crafting and controlling the impressions they give off, strategically choosing behaviors, appearances, and language to shape how they are perceived by others.

  • By analyzing the dramaturgical aspects of social interactions, we can better understand the conscious efforts individuals make to create favorable impressions and navigate various social contexts.
  • Roles and Scripts:
  • Goffman's perspective emphasizes the idea that individuals play different roles in different social situations, much like actors playing different characters in a play.

  • Roles come with scripts – socially agreed-upon expectations for behavior. Understanding these roles and scripts helps us comprehend how individuals navigate their interactions, adjusting their performances based on social norms and expectations.
  • Audience and Performer:
  • The concept of the audience is crucial in the dramaturgical perspective. Individuals act differently depending on who is present as their audience.

  • The perspective sheds light on the dynamics of power and influence in social interactions, as individuals strive to influence the perceptions of their audience while being aware of potential judgments and reactions.
  • Nonverbal Communication:
  • Goffman's perspective emphasizes the significance of nonverbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures, in creating and conveying impressions.

  • By examining nonverbal cues, researchers and observers can gain insights into the underlying dynamics of social interactions and the subtle ways individuals communicate their intentions and emotions.
  • Critical Analysis of Social Life:
  • The dramaturgical perspective encourages a critical analysis of social life, prompting us to question the authenticity of interactions and the social structures that shape them.

  • It helps unveil the constructed nature of social reality, emphasizing that what we see in everyday life is, to some extent, a performance influenced by societal expectations.
  • In summary, the dramaturgical perspective enriches our understanding of everyday life by providing a framework to analyze the intricacies of social interactions, the construction of social roles, and the ways individuals manage impressions to navigate the complexities of social reality.


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1. (c) How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life? (2023/P1/10/Society)