Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

"Presentation of Self in Everyday Life," a concept by sociologist Erving Goffman, explores how individuals manage their identities in social interactions. Just like actors in a play, people use social cues, expressions, and behaviors to create specific impressions on others. This "performance" varies by context—how we behave at work differs from how we act with friends. Goffman emphasizes that our social roles influence perceptions and interactions, illustrating the idea that our public persona is often a crafted projection shaped by the expectations of society and the people we engage with.