ME, ME, ME- Presentation of Self

This week’s topic is all about the presentation of the self. In particular Erving Goffman’s Nature of Defence and Demeanour (1967). Basically, in both the reading and the lecture the self is described as something that is completely socially constructed and managed through social processes. Although the reading, I believe, explains a rather simple concept in unnecessary detail, what I found particularly interesting was the importance placed on maintaining or saving ‘face’, especially Goffman’s reference to one’s obligations, that in order to uphold their image, people have to sometimes do things they really do not want to do. What I find interesting is that more often than not, people will fulfil these obligations, not because they have to, but because they do not want to tarnish their image. For example, I myself have gone to a party I really don’t want to go to just to ensure everyone does not think I’m like an old Grandma

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Some of the stuff Andy mentioned in the lecture also struck me. I always knew that embarrassment was a horrible thing for almost everybody, but never realised that it is actually an aspect of oneself that sociologists actually pay attention to. When you think about being embarrassed more deeply and realise that it is a complete loss of dignity, it becomes more obvious that humiliation actually tarnishes the sacredness of the human self. The fact that we (well, me personally anyway) spend time thinking about avoiding those awkward moments in social situations indicates the importance of avoiding social shame in order to maintain our selfhood. This topic has sort of made me realise that every time I have worried about falling over and making a fool of myself, it is completely warranted, so thanks Goffman :)

Now in my attempt to make my blog look pretty, I give you a visual representation of someone losing face and being profusely laughed at. He fell…on slime…on a game show….on T.V. Please note, the one laughing is also my future husband. 

Goffman, Erving. 1967. “The Nature of Deference and Demeanor.” Pp. 47-96 in Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-Face Behaviour. New York: Pantheon Books.