Identity Is An Unstable Performance Of Oneself - 1459 Words

Identity is a construct observed and demonstrated by individuals through acts of interpersonal communication. Erving Goffman, the famous sociologist, concluded that identity is an unstable performance of oneself, rather than an innate psychological feature that presents itself naturally. He argued individuals must create a social image, or a front, in order to portray to others who they are, or who they want to be seen as in order to obtain desirable responses, as he also concluded that identity is a type of information that is not naturally accessible to one’s audience. It is both consciously and unconsciously remade by an individual during his/her interactions with certain people and environments, and is displayed through several factors, such as one’s mannerisms, appearance, the setting signs provided, and how they tend to idealize themselves. There is also an intentional goal to keep one’s identity consistent and maintained, so that a situation is kept appropriate, in terms of societal, or a specific audience’s expectations. I examined and applied these concepts in my own experience observing two subjects, a close friend of mine, and an advisor at MCPHS University’s writing center, to recognize and understand their identity and motives while conversing with me. During my meeting with an advisor at the writing center, reviewing and critiquing an assignment of mine, I analyzed her signals of identity communication that were given off andShow MoreRelatedThe Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life By Erving Goffman Analysis1640 Words   |  7 Pagesor her audience. These performers have many motives to put on an act enabling the possibility to control their impressions given off in their performance. He then furthers his belief within a given setting, there is no true self. On the contrary to Goffman’s work, Julia Woods explains the westernized view of self that each individual has a true inner identity. But, if we as performers have a true inner self, can we act consistent while being appropriate in a certain setting? This analysis will depictRead MoreLeadership Reflection811 Words   |  4 Pagestopic on managing oneself. And an excerpt from this article below quite interests me the most. â€Å"Most people think they know what they are good at. They are usually wrong. More often, people know what they are not good at—and even then more people are wrong than right. And yet, a person can perform only from strength. One cannot build performance on weaknesses, let alone on something one cannot do at all.† - by Peter F. Drucker, Harvard Business Review: â€Å"Managing Oneself†; http://hbr.org/2005/01/managing-oneself/ar/1 Read MoreA Deeper Understanding Of Identity Essay1559 Words   |  7 Pagesand more. 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(King, 2016) If some one has a positive perspective of themselves they are less likely to be persuaded intoRead MoreIdentity And The Search For The Self Among The Sub Continental Diaspora10173 Words   |  41 Pages Chapter- One Theorising Identity and The Search for The Self among the sub-continental Diaspora in Britain Identity has always been a problematic area of interrogation epistemologically, existentially and politically and it continues to propel our thought. Etymologically, the term is derived from Latin word ‘Idem’ meaning ‘same’ (Oxford Online Dictionary) which means ‘specific quality or condition of being a specific person or an object†. A person’s identity is determined in terms of his/herRead MorePlastic Surgery : Physical Or Emotional Problem?1988 Words   |  8 Pagesby plastic surgery. So, the question is should one pursue plastic surgery to look better, even if that is just based on society notion of beauty? The answer should be no. People should not do plastic surgery due to two main basics: Firstly, the performance of plastic surgery is dangerous, which always goes along with side effects. The surgery performed by doctors is not guaranteedly hundred percent successful and there is always room for error. Secondly, it is rather an emoti onal problem rather thanRead MoreAdult Delinquency : Adolescent Delinquency3293 Words   |  14 PagesAdolescent Delinquency Adolescence is known as a time for discovering oneself, a time where a child transitions into adulthood. Erikson says that this time is when adolescents can find their own identity by sorting through the traditions of their families and cultures they grow up in. This can be a time of discovery but also disorientation and confusion. During their transition issues might occur with independence and self-identity, as well as tough choices influenced by their peers. These choices can