39. Erving Goffman on The Performative Self

14/07/2025 1h 23min

Listen "39. Erving Goffman on The Performative Self"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode we unpack American Sociologist Erving Goffman's 1954 classic, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life."This book explores...* The art of impression management*The desire to maintain consistent performances*The self as a social constructHost: Zach Stehura  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Jason DoeIntro Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Polyenso⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free PDF of the book: ⁠free pdf*note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode!Timestamps0:00:00 Introduction0:04:46 Historical Context0:06:43 “All the World is a Stage…”0:08:13 Audience/Performer Dynamic0:10:45 First Impressions 0:12:00  Consistent Performances0:13:45 Working Consensus0:17:30 Idealization0:20:24 Mystification0:22:27 Audience Segregation0:25:53 Dramatization 0:28:27 Front Stage/Back Stage0:37:40 Teams0:42:00 Discrepant Roles0:51:38 Failed Performances0:52:20 Audience Tact 0:54:35 The Moral Character of the Definition of the Situation0:57:13 False Notes1:08:09 Performing for Ourselves1:13:25 The Self as Social Construct1:18:11 Cynical and Sincere Performances1:20:17 Masks Becoming Personality1:22:21 Outro