The Goffman Approach (Erving Goffman)

Erving Goffman's approach views social interactions as a theatrical performance, where individuals intentionally manage how they present themselves to others. He believed that people are like actors on a stage, using gestures, words, and appearances to shape others’ perceptions. This "impression management" helps maintain social roles and relationships. Goffman’s framework emphasizes that our behavior and image are carefully crafted to fit social expectations, and we often adjust our “performance” depending on the context to navigate social situations effectively.