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The spiritual journey of Erving Goffman: How he changed the face of sociology?
Erving Goffman is one of the most influential sociologists in the 20th century. He is famous for his unique insights in sociology and his in-depth observation of life and research methods. It lays the foundation for the understanding of social interactions and daily life. From The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life to Asylums, Goffman's works are not only classics in academia, but have also long influenced psychology, language, and other fields. fields such as science and sociology.
Goffman was born in Alberta, Canada in 1922, into a Ukrainian Jewish family. His early education exposed him to different disciplines, especially sociology, which paved the way for his later academic career. In his book "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life", he compares daily social interactions to theatrical performances, emphasizing the importance of self-presentation in various social occasions.
Goffman once pointed out that "social interaction is a form of human behavior, full of subtle role-playing and skills."
In this work, Goffman describes social interaction as a drama, in which everyone expresses themselves on the "stage" and puts down their social roles "behind the scenes". This view breaks through the traditional scope of sociology , highlighting the role conflicts and inner struggles people face in society.
Goffman's concept of "interaction order" proposed in 1956 reveals the deep structure of human interaction, which is not limited to superficial social behavior, but involves the construction of broader social relations and personal identity. He believes that people's behavior in social situations is constrained by social rules and expectations, and that the "performance" of this behavior is a way of maintaining society.
In Stigma: The Management of Identity, Goffman further explored how people manage their "stigma", that is, the negative impact of characteristics or behaviors that do not conform to social expectations.
In the book Stigma, he analyzes how people often hide their flaws and shortcomings in order to protect their self-image. This view can help us better understand the complexity of identity construction. For example, criminal records are stigmatizing, so many people choose not to disclose relevant information to avoid social judgment.
In addition to his research at the individual level, Goffman also made important contributions to the concept of "total institution". In The Social Situation of the Sick, he describes in detail the impact of comprehensive institutions such as mental hospitals on individual behavior, which label people as sick and shape their identities and behavior patterns.
He stressed that "even in highly controlled environments, people can still find ways to redefine themselves."
Goffman's view challenges traditional sociological thinking and emphasizes human initiative and resistance in a restrictive environment. His ideas influenced the subsequent anti-psychiatry movement, promoted the reform of the mental health system, and called for respect and understanding for people with mental illness.
Throughout his career, Goffman's work has concerned not only the everyday manifestations of social interaction but has also explored the broader social structures and boundaries of human behavior. The concept of "framework analysis" he proposed further triggered discussions on social cognitive models, emphasizing how people interpret social phenomena around them through frameworks.
Goffman's influence is not only reflected in academia. His views and theories are also very inspiring for popular culture, media research, and social behavior in daily life. His writing style is lively and interesting, often presented in a satirical and humorous way, making his profound thoughts accessible to most non-academic readers.
In general, Goffman's work provided many inspirations for later sociological research. His theories transcend disciplinary boundaries, particularly in the fields of social interaction, linguistics, and cultural studies, and have spawned a large amount of subsequent research and discussion. As time goes by, his ideas still occupy an indispensable place in contemporary sociology and continue to inspire new generations of scholars.
Goffman's spiritual journey makes us think about how the role humans play in society and their self-cognition influence each other?
