Page 27 - Flipbook: Sociology Shortcuts Issue 3

of self

The idea of creating an impression is also The presentation of self always involves two
significant in relation to how we present characteristics.
ourselves in different situations and contexts.
Firstly, interpretation: identities are broad
When we adopt a particular identity we social categories whose meaning can differ,
“perform” to others in ways that, Goffman both historically and cross-culturally.
suggests, attempt to “manage the impression
others have of us”. Secondly, negotiation. Identities, because
they are socially created, are always open to
Identity performance, therefore, is directed at discussion; what it means to be male, female,
achieving desired ends (what we want from young, old and so forth is constantly
others); when you want to create a favourable changing as people “push the negotiated
impression with someone you “act” in ways boundaries” of these identities.
you believe they will like. Every social
encounter, therefore, is just one more part of
the act. This isn’t to say
we simply use people
for our own particular
ends; rather, in the
majority of social
encounters other people
are used, Cooley
(1909) suggests, as a
looking-glass self.
People are like mirrors
that reflect “our self as
others see us”; when
we “look into the
mirror” of how others
behave towards us we
see reflected an image
of the person they think
we are.

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