Goffman's Presentation of Self

Erving Goffman's "Presentation of Self" explains how people craft their behavior and appearance to influence how others perceive them, much like actors perform on stage. We adjust our words, actions, and expressions based on social settings and the roles we want to project—professional, friendly, confident—creating a desired impression. This ongoing process helps us navigate social interactions smoothly, maintaining self-image and relationships. Essentially, Goffman highlights that much of human behavior is a strategic performance, aimed at managing others' perceptions and fitting into social contexts effectively.